An important annual event for all who call Australia home
The start and end dates for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) are nestled in between two major events and significant dates in the reconciliation journey that all Australians can be proud of; dates that show us how we can change history by coming together for what is right.
NRW starts on 27th May every year, the date being the anniversary of the historic 1967 Referendum, where Australians voted to amend two parts of the Constitution that excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This was the highest ever “yes” vote in a Referendum – some people say it was the most unifying moment in Australian history. It is still important today as it shows what can happen when Australians come together and stand up for what is right.
3rd June is the last day of NRW and is the anniversary of the 1992 landmark High Court Mabo decision, which rejected how the Europeans that came to Australia had declared the country a ‘no man’s land’ and recognised First Nations people as traditional custodians of Australia for the first time.
2021 marks 20 years of reconciliation in Australia.
More than a word. Reconciliation takes action
Each year Reconciliation Australia chooses a theme for NRW. This year, the theme is More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.
Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians, new and old, to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort. NRW started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples). In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first NRW, and in 2000, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of NRW, to show their support for reconciliation, and demanding an apology to the Stolen Generations.
Today, NRW is celebrated by businesses, schools, early learning services, organisations and individuals Australia-wide. Hundreds of different NRW events are held each year!
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our vision at illuminance Solutions is to help bridge the gap of digital literacy across Australia with a primary focus on improving the socio-economic condition of the Indigenous community through providing education, training and employment and creating a solution specific to the needs of the Indigenous sector.
This commitment is in line with illuminance’s values of Respect and Integrity, Collaboration and Communication, Innovation and Creativity, and Diversity. As an advocate for Technology for Social Impact, we strive to make a positive difference in the community using our unique skills to serve and do good.
We are dedicated in advocating the increased representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our workforce and community and we aim to achieve this through the actions outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
National Sorry Day
On the day before NRW starts, National Sorry Day reminds us and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
26th May is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country. The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Parliament. The Bringing Them Home report is the result of a Government Inquiry into the past policies which caused children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century. We cannot begin to fix the problems of the present without accepting the truth of our history. Sorry Day asks us to acknowledge the Stolen Generations, and in doing so, reminds us that historical injustice is still an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Islander families, communities, and peoples.
Aboriginal Trust Management System
illuminance Solutions is experienced in working directly with Indigenous organisations to design and implement customer relationship management systems including cloud-based platforms to facilitate key processes and procedures, comprising member record maintenance and management, claims management, procedural systems, accounting and reporting facilities.
Acquiring that industry knowledge, we have developed a unique solution which addresses the operation challenges faced by the industry. Our solution Aboriginal Trust Management System (ATMS) converts paper and excel based member records and fund applications to digital records using a system that is easy to implement and use. Many Indigenous Trusts and Corporations are responsible for distribution and investment of funds derived from native title claims and entitlements. This is an important and significant role, and with ATMS they are enabled and empowered to manage these funds independently.
ATMS has provided the following benefits to its current clients and users:
- Self-reliance in providing services to members;
- Trust in tracking required information without the need for excessive levels of technical or financial knowledge;
- Confidence in accurate and current information on fund distribution and the organisation’s financial position to provide services;
- Clear allocation of roles and associated responsibilities. The correct person is assigned to a job and held accountable;
- Total transparency into the operational aspects of the organisation at all times.
ATMS is built on modern and powerful Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud-based platforms, that combine components of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). ATMS has been tailored to improve productivity, recording and communication and is able to integrate with other Microsoft cloud-based solutions for a holistic solution.
Free Digital Literacy Training
illuminance is also focused on and dedicated to bridging the digital literacy gap in our Indigenous communities.
As technology is advancing at a rapid pace, some groups in our community are being left behind. A digital divide is emerging, which makes equal treatment and opportunity even more challenging to achieve. We do our best every day to reduce the digital divide through collaboration with relevant organisations and universities to create, conduct and facilitate various tailored training programs.
Last year we travelled to Broome to conduct a free Microsoft Office 365 training to the Indigenous community at The University of Notre Dame’s campus in Broome. The tailored training program taught the basics of Microsoft Office tools including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel, in addition to use of online services, general search engine, research basics and an introduction to cyber security. The training session rolled out at the University’s Broome Campus in February 2020 and was taught by illuminance Solutions’ staff on site. It was open to the wider community and not just students enrolled at the university.
Want to know more?
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