May 27 - June 3 is National Reconciliation Week in Australia.

2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation and show their support for a more reconciled Australia.

It is a week to stop and reflect on how far we’ve come as a nation, while looking for ways to shape a better future.
 

What is reconciliation?

“Reconciliation is about bringing people together to work alongside each other for a better future.” - Shaun Burgoyne
 
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We strive towards a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another.
 

This Reconciliation Week, we are #InThisTogether, as we work to further the national journey towards a fully reconciled country.
 

How is Hawthorn committed to reconciliation?

In 2019, the club proudly launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan, a document that laid the groundwork towards fulfilling the club’s aspirations of becoming leaders in community connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. 

Hawthorn is committed to overcoming barriers of the past by using its unique position to engage Hawks staff and stakeholders in reconciliation as well as continually finding new ways to drive reconciliation and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners through all facets of the business.

Hawthorn’s Reconciliation Action Plan can be viewed below.

What can you do to support National Reconciliation Week?

The football mantra of #PlayYourRole is of significant relevance when it comes to reconciliation. We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories,  cultures, and futures.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. You can do this by engaging in meaningful conversations with those around you, asking questions and sharing stories about each other’s cultures.

You can also share, support and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020 by tuning-in to a host of virtual events, and by joining in on the conversation online using #NRW2020 and #InThisTogether2020. For more information, visit https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/.

You can also click here to keep up to date with all of Hawthorn's reconciliation content across the week.

All of Hawthorn's Indigenous programs are made possible by the generous support of Epic Good.