Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following pages may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
At Griffith, we have a strong commitment to reconciliation
At Griffith we are led by our values in creating a brighter future for all where everyone should be given the opportunity to make a positive difference to themselves and others. We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have maintained unique relationships to the land, sea, waterways, and the air above and around us over tens of thousands of years as the oldest continuous surviving culture in the world and we acknowledge Aboriginal Australians as Traditional Owners within our campuses. Griffith University strives to be a place where all peoples of all cultures feel valued and respected, and where Indigenous Australian people, cultures, knowledges, experiences, and perspectives, form an integral part of our learning, teaching, research, and community engagement. We acknowledge that reconciliation is a shared process where every student and staff member have a role to play in effecting positive change in building a better, more inclusive Australia
Reconciliation Statement
In May 2022, Griffith launched its Reconciliation Statement — a public declaration of our commitment to promoting an environment valuing the cultures, knowledges and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, knowledges, experiences, and perspectives, form an integral part of our learning, teaching, research, and our engagement. As an institution, we commit to acknowledge and respect that contribution. The Griffith Reconciliation Statement commits to real outcomes and positive change.
Our Commitment
We hold ourselves accountable to the belief that reconciliation is everybody’s business.
Reconciliation is key to the way we live the Griffith Values in our work, and it can be expressed through the Griffith Strategic Plan Principles of excellence, ethics, and engagement.
Excellence
Grow cultural competency among staff and students and empower people to make meaningful lifelong contributions to their communities.
Ethics
Celebrate being an inclusive and diverse community where all people feel valued and respected. Embed Reconciliation in our planning, processes and practices, and demonstrate outcomes through action.
Engagement
Commit to processes that prioritise Indigenous voices in shaping outcomes, and recognise the importance of respecting Indigenous knowledges, cultures, and talent.
Together
To support Griffith's commitment to reconciliation we are pleased to share the artwork Together by Sid Domic.
A proud Kalkadoon man, painting is a second career for Sid, following a successful professional rugby league career. With an awakening to his culture in his early 20s, Sid started a journey of discovery about his heritage. Working at Griffith from 2020 to early 2022, Sid felt empowered to paint the Griffith community. His artwork Together represents the connectedness of culture across our campuses.
Passionate about Aboriginal culture, Sid has an ambition to spread knowledge about Australian hidden culture through his art, and to promote stories as a way of learning or to stimulate conversation about the content of his art.
Sid elaborates on the artwork's story by saying the symbolism and layering in this work identify the five memory centres, which support our Indigenous students, and the wealth of experience and knowledge there to support this journey. The red dots and red circles in the background are incorporated to recognise the traditional colour of Griffith University and to represent the First Nations projects across the University. The white lines over the work acknowledge the different traditional custodians that the five campuses of the University span and how we acknowledge these peoples. The gold dots and cobweb effect represent the success of programs within the different areas across the University and wanting this to stick in people’s minds. The white circles represent the centres—those places of support for Indigenous people. The shapes represent the champions throughout the University doing work in this space; to bring them together, lift them up and enhance the work already being done.
National Reconciliation Week
22 May—3 June | Each year, the University hosts various activities and events across all Griffith campuses.
NAIDOC Week
In the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday) the University holds flag raising ceremonies across our campuses.
Annual dates of cultural significance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 February | Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous People |
| 21 March | National Close the Gap day |
| 26 May | National Sorry Day |
| 27 May – 3 June | National Reconciliation Week |
| 27 May | Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum |
| 3 June | Mabo Day |
| 1 July | The Coming of Light Festival |
| 7 - 14 July | NAIDOC Week 2024 |
| 4 August | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day |
| 9 August | The United Nations International Day of World’s Indigenous People |
Griffith activities
Each year, Griffith organises a series of events that bring together its staff and student community in acknowledging National Reconciliation Week and to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements.
The University also conducts flag raising ceremonies across our campuses to mark NAIDOC Week every year.
Contact us
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous), Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook QLD, 4131