From the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation in 2000, to the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2008 national Apology, Gen Y has always been aware of the reconciliation movement in Australia.
“Reconciliation has been on the agenda for quite some time for young people,” said 24-year-old Benson Saulo, National Director of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy.
"Young people are passionate about creating and promoting an inclusive and equal society in Australia," he added. "I feel that the reconciliation movement is a vehicle for young people to achieve that inclusive Australia."
The latest Census figures show that the median age of Indigenous people was 21, and the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has risen 20 per cent since 2006.
With more Australians identifying as Indigenous, law student Shaarn Hayward says reconciliation is now more important than ever.
“Most Indigenous people are young,” the 21-year-old said, “so it's important to realise that reconciliation, of course, is going to mean something more to young people.”
But according to a recent UN child rights report, Indigenous children between 10 to 17 years of age are 24 times more likely to be jailed than non-Indigenous children. Indigenous child mortality rates are also three times higher than average.
“There's still a lot of work that needs to happen within Australia, especially in regards to children and the rights of the child,” said Ms Hayward.
Apart from being the least consulted demographic in Australian policy, Indigenous children are also subject to much racial discrimination.
“It's something that's very common amongst Indigenous people, especially Indigenous people with fairer skin,” Ms Hayward said, who is a member of the Biripi people.
“I've constantly been told that I'm not Aboriginal, I'm not black enough to be Aboriginal."
Mr Saulo grew up in Tamworth and says the biggest challenge to reconciliation is a lack of awareness and empathy, which can often lead to racism.
“There was a lack of empathy around not really understanding people's lives, not really understanding how history can shape generations,” he said.
But Mr Saulo is hopeful his generation will help realise a reconciled Australia.
“In our generation, we've seen the Bridge Walk of 2000; we've seen the Apology of 2008 – and now, what is that next step? This is what young people are passionate about."
For Ms Hayward, the next steps towards reconciliation are constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Earlier this year, the Labor government promised to hold a national referendum about this issue before the 2013 federal election.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also spoken publicly against federal MPs during NAIDOC week celebrations, urging them to acknowledge the First Australians in the constitution.
“It's something that we deserve, and it something that all Indigenous people can have to be proud of,” said Ms Hayward.
“If that's achieved, then that's a big step towards reconciliation.”
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