Meet the changemakers: Reconciliation Australia

From the Narragunnawali online platform that houses professional learning and curriculum resources, to the national Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards, the program is mobilizing  schools and early learning services to play their part in the reconciliation movement, and building the next generation of leaders.

Why this work is needed

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence and racism. In the last three decades, there have been significant steps taken towards reconciliation, but it is an ongoing journey.

Narragunnawali is a word from the language of the Ngunnawal people meaning alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace. It reminds us that reconciliation is an active, living process about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. Reconciliation Australia has been given permission from the United Ngunnawal Elders Council to use the word Narragunnawali as the program title.

The approach

The Narragunnawali program is multifaceted, comprising several initiatives that support reconciliation between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards:

The Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards celebrate the schools and early learning services that are leading the way in fostering knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

The awards are held every two years to recognise the outstanding commitment from educational institutions across Australia to reconciliation in education and to share their inspiring stories.

The awards cover two categories: Schools and Early Learning. Finalists must demonstrate their ability to respond to the selection criteria of the Reconciliation Action Plan framework pillars of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

Finalists are acknowledged for strengthening reconciliation through relationships, building respect and providing meaningful opportunities around the school or service, and within the community.

The Narragunnawali online platform:

The Narragunnawali online platform is free resource that provides practical ways to introduce meaningful reconciliation initiatives in the education space. Schools and early learning services can access several tools to deepen their practice of reconciliation through the platform including:

• Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): Provides schools and early learning services with a whole-scale framework and process for progressing reconciliation in their institution. It is a living plan that solidifies their formal commitment to reconciliation.
• Professional Learning: Materials and resources that strengthen understanding of reconciliation and support educators to respectfully teach about First Nations histories, cultures and contributions. Educators can also register for webinars and workshops.
• Curriculum Resources: A suite of resources to help educators build practical activities and lessons, including subject-specific guides, that respectfully embed ideas and reconciliation in their teaching models.

What this work has achieved and what’s next

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Narragunnawali program and the 5th Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards. The Narragunnawali program has supported more than 14,000 or 50% of all Australian schools and early services to champion reconciliation through engaging with the Narragunnawali RAP framework.

Going forward, to continue reconciliation efforts across Australia, the program plans to work on expanding into parts of the country and education sector where it has experienced the least engagement, increase professional learning activities, and to encourage existing participants to deepen their reconciliation commitments.