Flinders walking the talk for Reconciliation

Ms Simone Tur and Mr Ian McBain with tiles painted by Indigenous students and staff at the the entrance to the Yunggorendi building

Yunggorendi, the University’s First Nations Centre, has organised a range of events and displays to mark Reconciliation Week.

The centrepiece will be a multimedia display in the foyer of the Central Library, to be launched at 1pm on Monday 25 May by University Librarian Mr Ian McBain. The display will include books featuring contributions from Indigenous staff at Flinders as well as materials relating to Aboriginal languages and culture, and information and resources on race relations.

Yunggorendi Director Ms Simone Ulalka Tur said that Reconciliation is about more than just gathering knowledge.

“It’s about putting knowledge into action, and universities are key places where this can happen,” Ms Tur said.

“This is really what Walking the Talk [this year’s Reconciliation theme] is all about, and the Library has been a leader in this.”

At 1.15pm there will be a Special Collections tour highlighting the many unique and rare resources held at Flinders relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history, culture and knowledge.

The display will include a showing of the Tellin’ the stories and other videos, and promote the topic Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges.

Throughout the week there will be space in the Library foyer display for people to comment about what ‘Reconciliation means to me…’

On Tuesday, Flinders is a partner with the Don Dunstan Foundation in hosting the Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration. Professor Patrick Dodson will speak on Rights, Recognition and Reconciliation at 7pm in Bonython Hall on North Terrace, University of Adelaide.

Ms Tur will be the event’s MC, and Professor Daryle Rigney, Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement, will give the vote of thanks.

On Thursday, May 29 from noon to 2pm, the Flinders Indigenous Student Association (FISA) is holding a BBQ fundraiser on the Plaza to go to the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (free for Aboriginal students).

 

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