From Connection to Action

Reconciliation in Practice on Birpai Country

Artist: Kimberley Gilbert

Artist statement...

As an Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher, reconciliation is central to my practice and is something I believe must be lived through relationships, cultural understanding, community connection and action. My role is to support our school community in moving beyond simply learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and towards meaningful opportunities to learn with community, connect with Country, and build understanding.

As a proud Worimi woman, I carry a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal culture, knowledge, language, identity and connection to Country continue to be respected, valued and celebrated. I want our future generations to feel proud of who they are, proud of where they come from and confident to showcase their culture.

Working on Birpai Country, I create and support opportunities for students to engage with Aboriginal culture through cultural experiences, community events, excursions, NAIDOC activities, student leadership and connections with local Aboriginal community. These experiences provide students with opportunities to develop respect for culture, Country and community while strengthening their sense of belonging.

Reconciliation means...

Reconciliation means building genuine relationships based on respect, understanding, truth and shared responsibility. As a proud Worimi woman, reconciliation is deeply important to me. It means recognising and valuing the continuing connection Aboriginal people have to Country, culture, language, history and community, and ensuring these connections are respected and carried forward for future generations.

Through my role as an Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher, reconciliation means creating opportunities for students to listen, learn and participate in meaningful cultural experiences, while ensuring Aboriginal voices, knowledge and perspectives are respected and visible throughout our school.

It means learning from community, connecting with Country and creating a sense of belonging for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students alike. I want our younger generations to feel proud of who they are, where they come from and the culture they carry.

I believe reconciliation is not something that happens on one day or during one event. It is an ongoing journey of learning, relationships and action. For me, it is about helping create a future and school community where culture is celebrated, differences are respected, Aboriginal identity is valued, and every student understands that they have a role to play in reconciliation. I want our next generations to feel proud, confident and empowered to share and showcase their culture.

“I want future generations to feel proud of their culture, confident in their identity and supported to share their culture with others.”