National Reconciliation Week 2026: Indigenous Speakers

 

Reflect and come together this National Reconciliation Week (NRW) an opportunity for authentic engagement with Indigenous culture, we learn more about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. Spanning May 27 – June 3 every year, National Reconciliation Week is timed to coincide with two key dates: the referendum on May 27, 1967 and the landmark Mabo decision on June 3, 1992.

As we move forward together, reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of every Australian to create a nation based on respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. By listening to first-hand stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians, we can better understand and explore how we can do our part in achieving reconciliation in Australia, from our kitchen tables to corporate settings. By taking your lead from the First Nations’ saying: “Nothing about us, without us!” and booking an Indigenous speaker for your NRW event, your organisation ensures that its engagement is authentic, respectful allyship – not tokenism. With our First Nations reconciliation speakers in high-demand for this period, event planners should aim to book between December 2025 – February 2026 to create a deadly National Reconciliation Week event.

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Understanding National Reconciliation Week 2026

Observed every year from May 27 – June 3, National Reconciliation Week 2026 is organised by Reconciliation Australia.

As mentioned earlier, the week references two significant dates in recognition and reconciliation:

• May 27, 1967: The referendum in which more 90% Australians voted to amend the Australian constitution, and formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• June 3, 1992: The Mabo Decision was a ruling by the High Court that overturned the concept of terra nullius (ie. that the land that is now called Australia belonged to no-one before white settlement.) This decision recognises that First Nations people have rights to their traditional lands.

The week is a time for all Australians to explore how we can contribute to reconciliation, strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and reflect on the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Nations. Corporate commitment to observing National Reconciliation Week 2026, not only demonstrates strong organisational values and creates inclusive, culturally safe environments but supports Indigenous economic participation, accelerating reconciliation in a practical way. Booking reconciliation speakers for your National Reconciliation Week 2026 shows genuine commitment to amplifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

Why Indigenous Speakers Are Essential for Reconciliation Week 

Booking Aboriginal speakers for your National Reconciliation Week 2026 corporate events brings the power of authentic voices to your organisation, connecting your audience to deep history and ongoing culture.

The right speaker will offer cultural authority, sharing lived experiences and genuine perspectives on the reconciliation journey, whilst challenging assumptions and broaden understanding. This authenticity will help your National Reconciliation Week 2026 events move beyond token gestures into meaningful learning that addresses difficult truths about colonisation and its ongoing impacts. Indigenous keynotes speakers can even help provide frameworks for practical reconciliation that inspire action, not just awareness.

Demonstrating an authentic commitment to reconciliation creates culturally safe workplaces and helps your organisation build relationships with Indigenous communities and enhance your reputation as inclusive employer. Cultural awareness speakers can have a significant impact on employees, breaking down barriers and stereotypes and helping Indigenous staff to feel valued and recognised, while non-Indigenous staff gain critical understanding and a share commitment to reconciliation.

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Types of Reconciliation Speakers for Corporate Events 

Welcome to Country Speakers & Smoking Ceremony Practitioners

Book Welcome to Country speakers and smoking ceremony practitioners for major events and to open National Reconciliation Week 2026. This creates a connection to the specific Country where your event is being held. Often, the Indigenous speakers and practitioners will explain the cultural protocol and significance of the ceremony.

What’s involved:

• A traditional Welcome to Country by local Traditional Owners
• Smoking ceremony for cleansing

Note: Welcome to Country can only be performed by Traditional Owners of the land. This is different to an Acknowledgement of Country (which anyone can give).

Cultural Educators & Knowledge Holders

Learn about traditional cultural practices and protocols from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers during National Reconciliation Week 2026. Covering Indigenous perspectives on topics as broad (and interconnected!) as connection to Country, dreaming stories and language revitalisation to more practical knowledge around cultural safety and competency.

Reconciliation & Social Justice Advocates

Choose a focus on policy, governance and corporate responsibilities for National Reconciliation Week 2026, with Indigenous speakers that focus on addressing systemic inequities. From Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) to Closing the Gap initiatives, speakers covering truth-telling and acknowledgment of history are laying out the first steps towards Treaty and constitutional recognition and broader Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Keynote Speakers

ICMI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers are leaders in their communities across a wide range of sectors. Match your speaker to your audience for National Reconciliation Week 2026 and choose from:

• Business leaders and entrepreneurs
• Community advocates and activists
• Artists, musicians, and creatives
• Sports figures and athletes
• Political and policy leaders
• Authors and academics

With topics ranging from personal journeys and resilience stories around overcoming barriers and discrimination, to takes on success and leadership in two worlds, Indigenous business and economic development and reconciliation in action.

 

Key Topics for National Reconciliation Week 2026 Events

Some key topics for that we’re already seeing for reconciliation speakers for National Reconciliation Week 2026 include:

Personal and Cultural Identity:

• Growing up Indigenous in modern Australia
• Maintaining cultural connection
• Navigating two cultures
• Pride in heritage and identity

Reconciliation in Practice:

• What reconciliation means to Indigenous peoples
• Moving from acknowledgment to action
• Implementing Reconciliation Action Plans
• Allyship and how non-Indigenous people can support First Nations

Truth-Telling and History:

• Pre-colonial civilisations and achievements
• Impacts of colonisation (including dispossession and the Stolen Generations)
• Ongoing challenges and disadvantages
• Resilience and survival

Cultural Protocols and Awareness:

• Welcome to Country vs. Acknowledgement of Country
• Using appropriate language and terminology
• Understanding connection to Country
• Creating culturally safe workplaces
• Avoiding cultural appropriation

Leadership and Success:

• Examples of Indigenous excellence in business, arts, sport
• Breaking barriers and creating opportunities
• How your can support the next generation of Indigenous leaders
• Indigenous-led solutions to challenges

Planning Your Reconciliation Week 2026 Events

TIMELINE

December 2025 – February 2026: Book speakers (6 -4 months advance)
Indigenous speakers are in high demand during National Reconciliation Week 2026 and popular speakers book more than six months ahead. This will allow time for proper consultation and customisation.

March – April 2026: Finalise event details and promote internally

May 27 – June 3, 2026: Execute events

EVENT IDEAS

Speaker Events:

• Keynote breakfast or lunch (45-60 minutes)
• Panel discussions with multiple Indigenous voices
• Cultural workshops (2-3 hours)
• Welcome to Country to opening major meetings
• Storytelling sessions
• Q&A forums for open dialogue

Complementary Activities:

• Art displays by Indigenous artists
• Film screenings from Indigenous filmmakers with discussions
• RAP launch or progress announcements
• Cultural awareness training
• Indigenous business showcases
• Community partnerships announcements

BEST PRACTICE:

✓ Consult with Indigenous communities and speakers early
✓ Ensure proper cultural protocols followed
✓ Provide context and education before/after
✓ Connect National Reconciliation Week to year-round reconciliation efforts through-out 2026
✓ Pay Indigenous speakers appropriately (same rates as non-Indigenous)
✓ Avoid tokenism – make it meaningful not performative
✓ Document and share learnings (with permission)
✓ Commit to ongoing actions beyond the week

How to Book an Indigenous Speaker Respectfully 

DO:

✓ Work with reputable speaker bureaus with Indigenous relationships (like ICMI)
✓ Provide clear briefing on event, audience, objectives
✓ Ask about cultural protocols and preferences
✓ Offer adequate preparation time
✓ Pay professional rates matching speaker’s expertise  – and don’t negotiate.
✓ Allow speakers to share what they’re comfortable with
✓ Provide opportunity for cultural consultation
✓ Ask how to pronounce names correctly
✓ Be open to feedback and learning

DON’T:

✗ Assume all Indigenous people can speak for all communities
✗ Ask speakers to share trauma without proper support
✗ Request content outside their cultural authority
✗ Expect speakers to educate for free or reduced rates
✗ Tokenise or treat as “exotic” entertainment
✗ Dictate what they should say about reconciliation
✗ Rush the booking without proper consultation

Reconciliation Week Keynote Speakers

Reconciliation is built on respect. Acknowledging the deep ties that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to the land is one great way of showing respect. You can join this inspiring and powerful process by inviting one of our National Reconciliation Week Indigenous speakers for 2026.

ICMI collaborates with a wide range of incredible Indigenous Australian speakers and performers with a wealth of knowledge, stories and talents to share.

Aunty Munya & Carla Rogers 

Learning more about Country, our history, and the deep connection Indigenous peoples have had with this beautiful land is essential to reconciliation. Aboriginal Elder, author, and advocate Aunty Munya Andrews, alongside Churchill Fellow Carla Rogers, helps foster greater understanding of Aboriginal culture and history through their talks, books, and training. As co-Directors of Evolve Communities, they share knowledge and practical ways to support reconciliation and build stronger connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

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Gavin Wanganeen

AFL legend, Indigenous artist and passionate reconciliation activist Gavin Wanganeen uses his influence as a 2 time Premiership winner, the first Indigenous Brownlow Medalist, member of the AFL Hall of Fame to champion Indigenous rights and advocate for meaningful and lasting reconciliation. Whether through sports, arts or business, he is an incredibly dedicated and passionate advocate for First Nations peoples.

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Eva Jo Edwards

Survivor of the Stolen Generations and proud Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, Eva Jo Edwards is an experienced advocate of reconciliation. As a cultural educator, she uses both performance and public speaking to create change, build understanding and motivate us all to do our part in the reconciliation process.

Book Eva Jo Edwards

Leila Gurruwiwi

Whether through presenting the news, acting, or mentoring Indigenous youths, Leila Gurruwiwi has a versatile and important impact on reconciliation. As a Yolngu woman of the Galpu Clan from Northeast Arnhem land, she focuses on growing cultural awareness about Indigenous perspectives and issues across her community pursuits, media career and education initiatives.

Book Leila Gurriwiwi

Mindy Woods

Using her platform in the culinary world, Mindy Woods champions reconciliation and Indigenous culture through her talks, cooking demonstrations and media appearances. She was the first female Indigenous chef to be awarded a ‘Chefs Hat’ in AGFG, helping to bring Indigenous cuisine to the forefront while telling stories about the history and cultures of our First Nations peoples.

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Kutcha Edwards

With a message of understanding and hope, song man Kutcha Edwards is at the forefront of reconciliation, with a long history of driving change through activism and great songwriting since 1991. After joining Koori group Watbalimba, his incredible journey has taken him from the small Riverina town of Balranald to tours across Australia and around the world. First-hand experience as a survivor of the Stolen Generations and his proud Mutti Mutti heritage makes his passionate advocacy and creative output truly impactful.

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Beyond Reconciliation Week: Year-Round Commitment

National Reconciliation Week 2026 should be a milestone, not the entire journey. Reconciliation requires sustained commitment and we have some suggestions for transforming your commitment to reconciliation from one week to ongoing throughout 2026.

Sustaining Momentum:

• Regularly engage Indigenous cultural awareness speakers for events – even non-Indigenous focused events
• Implement Indigenous staff networks and support
• Connect to broader organisational RAP or reconciliation strategy
• Cultural awareness training for all staff
• Indigenous procurement and partnerships
• NAIDOC Week celebrations in July
• Support for Closing the Gap initiatives
• Indigenous employment and career pathways
• Truth-telling and education programs

Measuring Impact:

• RAP implementation progress
• Cultural competency assessments
• Indigenous employee satisfaction and retention
• Indigenous business spend
• Community relationship strength
• Staff participation in learning

Book NAIDOC 2026 Speakers

Ready to book an Indigenous speaker for National Reconciliation Week 2026?

ICMI works with respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers who bring cultural authority, powerful stories, and practical insights to corporate audiences. Contact our consultants today for culturally appropriate speaker recommendations and guidance on creating meaningful National Reconciliation Week 2026 events.

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