National Reconciliation Week, Bridging Now to Next

National Reconciliation week is just around the corner, running from 27 May – 3 June. 

This year’s theme is Bridging Now to Next, which reflects the ongoing connection between the past, present and future. The theme also calls for all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

This year marks twenty-five years since Corroboree 2000 which brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous leaders in a call for reconciliation. 

Arts Law is committed to continuing our work for reconciliation. Arts Law has the privilege of working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists each day. 

This year’s theme is a reminder that we must prepare for the future and by doing so learning from the past. This is particularly on point with the ‘Fake Art Harms Culture’ campaign, which Arts Law, the Indigenous Art Code and Copyright Agency championed. 

In November 2022, the Productivity Commission published a report into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts and Crafts which found that two-thirds of Indigenous-style souvenirs are inauthentic. Following the report and IP Australia’s report, Indigenous Knowledge Working Group and Ninti One, the Federal Government is committed to introducing stand-alone legislation which will protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). 

The commitment for new stand-alone legislation is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led process. The community engagement consultation period ended last June. Earlier this year, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Expert Working Group on ICIP was established to partner in the development of the legislation. 

Arts Law will continue to work closely and stay informed about the progress of the stand-alone legislation. 

For more information on the stand-alone legislation please visit the Office of the Arts webpage. 

To find out more about this year’s National Reconciliation Week please visit Reconciliation Australia’s webpage. If you would like to get involved with a local Reconciliation Week event, please also check out the 2025 Events Page. 

This year’s theme was created in collaboration with Little Rocket, a First Nations owned and operated marketing and creative agency.