Tomorrow is Sorry Day and Saturday marks the start of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) with this year’s theme being ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives. Whether that’s where we live, work or socialise.

At a local level, you may wish to contribute by participating in one or more of the unique art and cultural experiences, including:

• Documentary screenings – 1999 locally filmed documentary Whiteys Like Us – Sat 27 May, 2pm at Manly Library and Sun 28 May, 2pm at Glen St Library. Bookings essential.
• Film screenings – Multi-award winning Australia drama filmed in the Northern Territory – Sat 27 May, 2pm at Mona Vale Library and Sat 3 Jun, 2pm at Manly Library
• Click and Create: Basket weaving kits - Using Aboriginal weaving techniques and Tegan Murdock’s guidance, create your own mini weaved basket. $15 + booking fee. Buy your kit
• Collaborative Colouring-In - Drop into any library branch between 26 May - 3 June, and participate together in colouring-in an Indigenous artwork design
• Weaving Bridges workshop – You are invited to join elders and members of the Aboriginal community of the Northern Beaches. Hear Master Weaver, Aunty Karleen Green yarn about the five song lines of Car-Rang-Gel, North Head and weave alongside her while she shares local history. Thursdays 1 – 22 Jun, 3pm at Manly Creative Library. Book now
• Blak Douglas: Inverted Commoners – Gayamay/Manly Cove - Dhungatti artist, Blak Douglas returns to Manly Art Gallery & Museum to present his first solo exhibition since winning the 2022 Archibald Prize. Until Sun 30 July. Find out more
• JamFactory Icon Kunmanara Carroll: 9 Ngaylu Nyanganyi Ngura Winki (I Can See All Those Places) - A celebration of the achievements of one of South Australia’s most influential artists working in craft-based media - the late Kumunara Carroll. At Manly Art Gallery & Museum until Sunday 4 June. Find out more

We’ve had an overwhelming response to our Bushtucker talk with bookings sold out. Bush to Bowl will present a firsthand insight of their Aboriginal knowledge of Country and its rich diverse food sources.

The Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pittwater also have an opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together and have a yarn on Sun 28 May at Mona Vale Memorial Hall from 1.30pm. The event includes cultural performances, kids’ activities such as boomerang painting, colouring in and so much more. Find out what’s on.

You can find more local events in the Northern Sydney region as part of the Gai-mariagal Festival here.

Find great information and resources by visiting the Aboriginal Heritage Office website and follow the Yarnupings Newsletter education series.

If you have a community event that is acknowledging National Sorry Day or Reconciliation Week, please feel free submit your event to Council’s Event Calendar.