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From 27 May to 3 June, Australians across the country are invited to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, to share that knowledge and help us grow as a nation.

Here, University of Sydney academics explain why this year鈥檚聽鈥� is so important.

1. To celebrate our campus community

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) says the University has embraced National Reconciliation Week鈥檚 call to action.

鈥淭his year, for the first time, we鈥檒l hold our on 鈥� formerly the marsh of Blackwattle Creek and a source of fresh water and fishing for Aboriginal people prior to invasion,鈥� Professor Sherwood, a descendant of the Wiradjuri Nation, said.

鈥淲e invite students, staff, alumni and our local community to join us on 28 May, to reflect on the important ceremonial and spiritual connections this land held for its original custodians, the Aboriginal history of the University and what it means for us now and into the future.鈥�

2. To achieve reconciliation

Understanding Australia鈥檚 history is essential for the reconciliation process, says聽, a Kamilaroi woman originally from north-western NSW and with the University鈥檚聽.

鈥淎boriginal history is Australian history,鈥� she explains.

鈥淚t is a history that belongs to the world鈥檚 oldest continuous culture. It is rich, diverse, exciting and at times devastating. Ignorance makes true reconciliation impossible to achieve. In classrooms and beyond, we must recognise and embrace the full histories of this country to continue the work towards justice and equity for all.鈥�

3. To attain a sovereign republic

鈥淗istory tells us that the original doctrine of settlement 鈥撀�terra nullius聽鈥� allowed the criminal takeover of Aboriginal lands,鈥� says聽聽from the University鈥檚聽.

鈥淐olonisation was understood as a scourge that the United Nations sought to address in the 20^th聽century, however settler colonial societies such as the USA, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada lag behind,鈥� Dr Grieves, a Warraimay woman from the mid north coast of NSW, added.

鈥淗istory remains with us until we reach a just and proper settlement with the Australian state. This is most attainable through the development of a new sovereign republic based on Aboriginal philosophy, cultural values and ethics.鈥�

4. To reach health equality

Understanding historical context is vital to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples鈥� health and wellness, and to develop preventative measures, says聽聽from the University鈥檚聽.

鈥淭he reasons why the determinants 鈥� social, political and cultural 鈥� are not being met lies in the historical way that policies have been developed and services have been delivered. Whether deliberate or by omission, the outcome has been the same,鈥� Dr Lee, from the Yupungathi and Meriam people, says.

鈥淟et鈥檚 all be part of the change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination.鈥�

5. To reclaim Aboriginal song traditions

鈥淪ince colonisation, an estimated 98 percent of Aboriginal song traditions have been lost in Australia, and just 13 of more than 200 Aboriginal languages are strongly spoken today,鈥� the 鈥檚 says.

We need to look at appropriate offline and online solutions to make archival song material accessible and useful to Aboriginal communities, Dr Bracknell 鈥� whose Aboriginal family from the south-east coast of WA use the term 鈥榃irlomin Noongar鈥� to refer to their clan 鈥� explains.

鈥淭hese records may prove especially important to Aboriginal communities because of the inherent connections between songs, language and the maintenance of Aboriginal identities and well-being.鈥�

6. To discover our own history

, from the urges people to find out more about their own history.

鈥淜nowing who we are as a person and as a member of our communities, means understanding history and how it has influenced us all,鈥� Dr Riley, a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree, says.

鈥淣ot knowing our histories, means we are virtually keeping ourselves in the dark and aren鈥檛 allowing ourselves, our families and our communities to learn and grow.鈥�