National Reconciliation Week marks a time for all Australians to learn about the shared histories, cultures and achievements of Australia while reflecting on ways to achieve reconciliation in Australia, and runs until Saturday June 3.

This year’s theme “Be a Voice for Generations” encourages people to be a voice for reconciliation in their daily lives in honour of generations past and for the wellbeing of generations to come.

Several events are being held across the state this week with plenty of opportunities to get involved and learn about reconciliation.

2023 National Reconciliation Week Events

Naomi Hobson: Adolescent Wonderland

Southern Kaantju/Umpila woman Naomi Hobson presents a series of photographs that emulate childhood memories with brightly coloured subjects in a world of black and white. Hobson is directly inspired by her Country and her ancestor’s ties with their lands.

• Murray Bridge Regional Gallery until 18 June

Yabarra – Dreaming in Light

Originally presented at Adelaide Fringe 2020, Yabarra returns as a 10-minute virtual reality experience at Lot Fourteen. Yabarra tells the Kaurna creation story of Tjilbruke. Alongside the VR sessions, a panel discussion into co-creation and how it can be used to promote reconciliation is being hosted at Lot Fourteen.

• Lot Fourteen, Thursday 1 June from 10am – 4pm, panel discussion from 1 – 2pm

Originally produced as the signature event for Adelaide Fringe 2020 and experienced by over 40,000 people, Yabarra – Dreaming in Light tells the Kaurna creation story of Tjilbruke, as interpreted by Karl Winda Telfer and the Williams clan.

Film Screening: “Close to the Bone”

South Australian Film Corporation present a screening of South Australian made documentary ‘Close to the Bone’ followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Jared Thomas, Malcolm McKinnon and Mike Brown by First Nations cultural arts leader Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin.

• Adelaide Studios, Glenside,  Wednesday 31 May from 12:30 – 1:30pm

Film Screening: “Apology to the Stolen Generation Commemorative”

Reconciliation SA presents its 2022 film in remembrance of the 2008 National Apology, one of the many events it is hosting across the state.

• Goolwa Centenary Hall, Wednesday 31 May from 2 – 3pm

Connect to Country with Kyla McHughes

Ngarrindjeri artist and Ngarrindjeri language teacher Kyla McHughes is presenting a talk on how to connect and care for Country.

• Victor Harbor Library, Wednesday 31 May from 1:30 – 2:30pm

South Australian Museum: A Little Bit of Justice Exhibition and Panel Discussion

The South Australian Museum will host an in-depth discussion about its exhibition A Little Bit of Justice: The Drawings of Charlie Flannigan. The exhibition explores the sketches of Aboriginal stockman Charlie Flannigan, documenting his life in 19th-century Australia before he became the first man to be executed in the Northern Territory in 1893.

South Australian Museum Aboriginal Education Coordinator Eva Wilson will host the panel discussion comprising of Collection Development Coordinator of Library & Archives NT and Curator of the exhibition, Don Nawurlany Christopherson, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri Leader and Elder, Uncle Major Moogy Sumner, and Senior Aboriginal Cultural Advisor for Youth Justice, Joel Bayliss.

• South Australian Museum, Friday 2 June from 6-8pm

Nunga Screen

Nunga Screen is an annual event that travels across regional South Australia during National Reconciliation Week. The event offers a program of films made by established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers. This year’s program includes nine short films and can be viewed on the Country Arts SA website.

• Art Gallery of South Australia, Radford Auditorium, Thursday 1 June, 10am – 4pm and Friday 2 June, 10am – 8pm
• Gawler Civic Centre, Thursday 1 June, 11am – 7pm
• Hopgood Theatre, Noarlunga, Wednesday 31 May, 11am – 7pm
• Chaffey Theatre, Renmark, Thursday 1 June, 10am – 7pm
• Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie, Wednesday 31 May, 11am – 7pm
• Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mount Gambier, Wednesday 31 May, 11am – 7pm
• Hawker Institute, Hawker, Friday 2 June, 5 – 7pm
• Torrens Valley Community Centre, Gumeracha, Wednesday 31 May, 1pm
• The Hut Community Centre, Aldgate, Wednesday 31 May, 10am – 7pm