As National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3) comes to a close, I find myself reflecting deeply on this year’s theme, “Now More Than Ever.” It feels like a heartfelt call—one that asks us all to pause and listen, especially when we think about the First Nations children who are caught in the out-of-home care system.

For many of these children, care isn’t just a change in their living situation—it’s a painful reminder of a history that’s too familiar, echoing the trauma of the Stolen Generations. Even when care is given with the best intentions, too often the vital connections to family, kin, culture, language, and Country are broken. And those connections? They aren’t just nice to have. They’re what ground a child’s identity, give them strength, and protect them from feeling lost or alone in the world.

This week is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a chance for all of us to:

• Remember the past, the hard truths of colonisation and forced removals, and how their shadows still stretch across generations of First Nations families. Acknowledging this pain is the first step to healing.
• See the present reality clearly—the heartbreaking fact that First Nations children are almost ten times more likely to be in care than non-Indigenous children. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action for everyone who cares about justice.
• Stand with self-determination, honouring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle. This principle reminds us that children belong with their families, kin, and community whenever possible—where culture and Country nurture them best.
• Support culturally safe care that goes beyond placement, ensuring every child feels deeply connected to who they are. It means skilled, culturally aware workers, resources that respect Indigenous knowledge, and relationships built on trust and respect.
• Push for real change, because reconciliation isn’t just a personal journey—it demands governments, services, and communities come together to break down the barriers that keep too many children separated from their families. It means funding prevention, family support, and community-led solutions.

“Now More Than Ever” reminds us the time for reconciliation is urgent and ongoing. For First Nations children in out-of-home care, it’s about more than care—it’s about healing, belonging, and growing up strong in culture and identity. It’s a promise that no child will lose who they are or where they come from just because they need extra care.

This Reconciliation Week, let’s open our hearts and commit—personally and collectively—to making that promise real.