Be a Voice for Generations 27 May–3 June 2023

Griffith’s Reconciliation Statement recognises that reconciliation is everybody’s business. Staff, students and the Griffith community were invited to reflect on this commitment during  National Reconciliation Week 2023.

The theme for 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for Reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives—where we live, work and socialise.

National Reconciliation Week—27 May to 3 June 2023—is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving Reconciliation in Australia.

Attend a Griffith National Reconciliation Week event

A Voice for Future Generations

NOTE: This event has concluded. The live event recording is available to watch online.

Griffith is pleased to invite you to a panel discussion: A Voice for Future Generations.

This National Sorry Day—a day Australia remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, now known as ‘The Stolen Generations’—the University will host a panel discussion on the topic of A Voice for Future Generations, presented by experts and sponsored by the Griffith University Reconciliation Statement Steering Committee.

This follows the University’s release of a statement expressing its support of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

When: 11 am – 12.30 pm, Friday 26 May

Where: Building N78, room 0.11, Nathan campus

More information: Register online to secure your seat or access the live stream link.

The University also invites you to participate in other events across all our campuses.

Walk and Talk: Logan Campus

A guided Walk and Talk around Logan campus to the Yarning Circle. Listen to host Dr Kerry Hall from the First Peoples Health Unit discuss the cultural importance of the Yarning Circle and the significance and uses of bush tucker from the Logan campus Bush Tucker garden.

When: Two sessions at 11 am and midday, Tuesday 30 May

Where: Undercover area outside L03 entrance, Logan campus

Walk and Talk: Gold Coast campus 

The First Peoples Health Unit invite you to join them in acknowledging National Sorry Day during National Reconciliation Week, where you will have the opportunity to contribute your thoughts and feelings to our healing tree. We will walk to the on-campus statue of the Giant Dreaming God, Jabreen, including a Welcome to County and BBQ with the community.

When: 11 am, Monday 29 May

Where: Library Lawns, outside G11 main entrance, Gold Coast campus

RSVP: Register and RSVP by 5 pm  Monday 22 May.

Walk and Talk: Nathan Campus

A guided Walk and Talk with Associate Professor Marcus Waters, Dean, Learning and Teaching (Indigenous) leading discussions and walking to the Yarning Circle at Nathan campus.

When: 10 am, Tuesday 30 May

Where: Meet at the Echinda mural on the outer east wall of the Library (N53), Nathan campus

Putuparri and the Rainmakers

The Griffith Green Impact Teams invites you to attend a screening of  Putuparri and the Rainmakers, followed by a Q&A session by film director and producer Nicole Ma.

When: 1.15 pm, Tuesday 30 May

Where: Building N78, Room 0.11, Nathan campus

More information: Register to secure your seat

Take Heart: Deadly Heart

The School of Medicine and Dentistry invites you to attend a screening of Take Heart: Deadly Heart.

When: 2 pm, Thursday 1 June

Where: Griffith Health Centre (G40), Auditorium, Gold Coast campus

More information: Register to secure your seat.

Griffith Film School will also be screening a film at the South Bank campus, in recognition of National Reconciliation Week. Watch this space for more information.

Market days across all campuses

Market days will be hosted by the Student Guild, Griffith Sport, GUMURRII and the First Peoples Health Unit across all campuses. They will include traditional food trucks, Aboriginal market stalls, live music and dance by Indigenous artists, Indigenous art and craft workshops, and Yarning Circle and bush tucker information talks.

When: Tuesday 30 May and Wednesday 31 May

Where: Various campuses

More information: Visit Griffith Sport What's On and Student Guild What's On.

Reconciliation Lunchtime Concert

Join students from the Queensland Conservatorium as they mark National Reconciliation Week in concert, featuring students, staff and alumni including didgeridoo player and Spoken Word artist.

When: Midday, Tuesday 30 May

Where: The foyer, Queensland Conservatorium (S01), South Bank campus

More information: This is a free event and details are available via the Queensland Conservatorium.

Sustaining Indigenous Knowledges: The Fala (traditional mat) Methodology

Join Dr Inez Fainga'a' Manu-Sione for a seminar including a hands-on workshop of Fala weaving, using kie leaves from the Pandanus tree. It will also offer an insight into the Fala methodology, developed by Dr Inez Faina'a Manu-Sione's research project which explored the influencing factors that impact upon health choices for three generations, namely elders, parents, and young people in South East Qld.

When: 1—3 pm, Thursday 1 June

Where: Logan campus (register to view room location)

More information: Register and learn more

Reconciliation art-based workshop

Contribute to achieving Reconciliation in Australia by learning about our shared cultures and histories through art.

When: 2.45–3.45 pm, Wednesday 31 May

Where: QCA Lecture theatre and gallery (S05), room 1.16 (CAIA Studios), South Bank campus

On National Sorry Day—a day Australia remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, now known as ‘The Stolen Generations’—the University hosted a panel discussion on the topic of A Voice for Future Generations, presented by experts and sponsored by the Griffith University Reconciliation Statement Steering Committee. This followed the University’s release of a statement expressing its support of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and provided an opportunity for questions and discussion. The event recording is available below.

During National Reconciliation Week, the University hosted a number of other events across all our campuses. These included guided Walk and Talks, listening and discovering the cultural importance of areas across the University, such as the Yarning Circles and the statue of the Giant Dreaming God, Jabreen. Indigenous films were screened on campus along with market days featuring Indigenous artists and art and craft workshops. Staff and students were also treated to a Reconciliation concert at the Conservatorium and embraced learning about culture in multiple workshops and lectures.

Voice to Parliament Referendum

Griffith University has released a statement in support of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The statement acknowledges there will be a diversity of views on the Voice in the Griffith community. To support informed and respectful debate the University has developed a dedicated website with expert opinion, links to relevant information for those on each side of the argument, information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who require support, and guidelines encouraging discussion to be conducted in a respectful manner that allows for disagreement.

Resources, logos and posters

A range of NRW2023 resources, logos, images and posters are available from Reconciliation Australia.

Funding support for your event

As Reconciliation is a shared process, all Griffith University Elements and Groups are encouraged to organise their own meaningful events for Reconciliation Week, within their own contexts and which align to this year’s theme—Be a Voice for Generations.

Tell us about your planned Reconciliation events in 2023 by completing the expression of interest, with co-funding available to support your event (up to a maximum of $1500). For more information, contact Tina O'Keefe, Project Officer (Reconciliation Statement).

Artwork by Sid Domic

Reconciliation Statement

In May 2022, Griffith launched its Reconciliation Statement — a public declaration of our commitment to promoting an environment valuing the cultures, knowledges and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Statement on Reconciliation (300 KB)