Reconciliation Day is a public holiday observed in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), marking the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. It is a time to reflect on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, acknowledging past injustices and promoting unity and understanding.

Table of Contents

1. When is Reconciliation Day?
2. The History of Reconciliation Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. More about King Charles III

When is Reconciliation Day?

Reconciliation Day is observed on the first Monday on or after May 27 each year. The following is the list of Reconciliation Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Reconciliation Day? 

The movement for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians has its roots in the recognition of past injustices and efforts to promote understanding and unity.

One of the key milestones in reconciliation history was the 1967 Referendum, where more than 90% of Australians voted to amend the Constitution to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the census and enable the federal government to make laws for them.

This referendum symbolized a shift in public attitudes and laid the foundation for further reconciliation efforts. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) was established in 1991 by the federal government to promote reconciliation over a 10-year period.

In 1996, the first National Reconciliation Week (NRW) was introduced by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. The week runs annually from May 27 to June 3, marking the 1967 Referendum and Mabo Day.

On February 13, 2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a historic apology to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging the harm caused by past government policies that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families.

In 2017, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government announced that it would introduce Reconciliation Day as a public holiday, making it the first and only Australian state or territory to officially recognize it as a public holiday.

The first Reconciliation Day was celebrated on May 28, 2018.

What Do People Do on This Day?

The ACT Government and local organizations host public events to commemorate the day. These events often include storytelling sessions and cultural performances

Many people take the day as an opportunity to educate themselves on the history and struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Schools and community groups organize discussion panels and workshops to encourage open conversations about reconciliation and Indigenous rights.

Many galleries display Indigenous artworks, telling stories through painting, sculpture, and textiles.

Many Australians take a moment to reflect on what reconciliation means in their own lives and how they can contribute to a more inclusive and respectful society.

More about ACT Indigenous People

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is traditionally the land of the Ngunnawal people, who have inhabited the region for over 20,000 years. The ACT Government acknowledges the Ngunnawal as the traditional custodians and also recognizes that other groups, such as the Ngambri and Ngarigo peoples, have historical connections to the area.

As of the 2021 Census, approximately 9,000 individuals in the ACT identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, representing 2.0% of the territory's population. ​

Ngunnawal people followed a seasonal lifestyle, moving across the land for food, ceremonies, and trade.

The arrival of European settlers in the 1820s disrupted Indigenous ways of life. Many Ngunnawal people were displaced, and traditional lands were used for farming and urban development.

The ACT Government acknowledges Ngunnawal people as Traditional Custodians and incorporates Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country in official events.

Indigenous voices play a key role in land management, policy-making, and reconciliation efforts.