Who are we:
The local reconciliation group. Hills Yarning dreams of genuine reconciliation with First Nations people in the Hills area of Northwest Sydney. We gather to learn more about Aboriginal culture and consider how we might work together to create meaningful social change. Hills Yarning was formed in 2020 under the auspice of Sydney Alliance and is now a member of Reconciliation NSW. Hills Yarning aims to work closely with The Hills Shire Council to amplify First Nation voices.
Who are we:
Sydney Going Forward is an Inner Sydney grassroots group working to build stronger connections with local First Nations Peoples. We came together after the referendum to act as allies for reconciliation and justice. We aim to amplify First Nations voices and provide support through education, truth-telling, and volunteering for community projects.
What we do:
We connect with our community and amplify First Nations voices in several ways:
Conversation Tables: Our volunteer, Margaret, created these tables to help non-Indigenous people deepen their understanding of First Nations issues. We provide a comprehensive, Elder-approved list of recommended books, films, and cultural activities. Our next table will be held on 6th September at Surry Hills Market during History Week.
Volunteering: We actively support local organisations by volunteering for events like the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence’s NAIDOC events, the Gadigal Information Service Yabun, and the Cootamundra Foundation’s Sorry Day event.
Direct Engagement: We believe the best way to support is to listen. We invite Elders and community members to speak at our meetings, which helps us understand community needs and decide how we can best contribute.
Truth-Telling: We are working with Elders and the City of Sydney Council to ensure significant sites and monuments are recognized and understood for their importance to the First Nations community.
When we meet:
We meet every second month at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), George St, Redfern.