NITV celebrates National Reconciliation Week with captivating Current Affairs programs to compelling Feature Documentaries.
With Warwick Thornton's highly anticipated "The Beach" premiering May 29, NITV pays homage to the filmmaker with a compilation of his films.
Monday
May 25
Living Black: Senator Patrick Dodson - 8.30pm
It’s been 20 years since Corroboree 2000 and the Walk for Reconciliation when almost 300,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday the 28th May 2000, to come together and support reconciliation.
Living Black’s Karla Grant speaks with Senator Patrick Dodson, the ‘Father of Reconciliation’ about his life and career. Karla and Pat reflect on the reconciliation process and the current state of Indigenous affairs in Australia.
Senator Pat Dodson - Living Black Source: Supplied
Wednesday
May 27
The Point: 20 Years of Reconciliation - 8.30pm
The Point explores how COVID-19 has brought a new dimension to Reconciliation Week as we mark 20 years since the Corroboree 2000 reconciliation walks where thousands of Australians walked over bridges across the nation in solidarity. We hear from Senator Patrick Dodson about the importance of Reconciliation Week.
Joined live at the desk by filmmaker Warwick Thornton who talks to us about his new program The Beach. Hosted by John Paul Janke and Rachael Hocking.
Vote Yes For Aborigines - 10.35pm
Hosts of The Point, Rachael Hocking and John-Paul Janke (NITV) Source: NITV
On National Sorry Day, this documentary looks back at the 1967 Referendum, which resulted in the removal of two sections of the constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people.
In the referendum, over 90 per cent of voters agreed that Indigenous Australian should be counted in the census and that the Commonwealth government take charge of Aboriginal affairs, effectively finally acknowledging Aboriginal people as citizens within their own country. 
Documentary, Vote Yes For Aborigines celebrating its historical significance and contemporary relevance of the 1967 Referendum. Source: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies/Audio Visual Archive
Thursday
May 28
Living Black: Walk For Reconciliation - 7.30pm
This special episode from our archives is in tribute to the Reconciliation Movement. 20 years ago hundreds of thousands of Australians walked across bridges everywhere including the Sydney Harbour Bridge in solidarity for Reconciliation on the 28th May 2000.
It was a dark time for Indigenous affairs under the Howard Government. However, despite this, people from all walks of life came together in support of reconciliation.
Sweet Country - 8.30pm
Karla Grant, host of Living Black (NITV) Source: NITV
Set in 1929 in the outback of the Northern Territory, Warwick Thornton's dramatic Western is the story of a young boy, Philomac, who witnesses an Aboriginal stockman kill station owner Harry Marsh in self-defence. Sam and his pregnant wife Lizzie then go on the run and a posse pursues them across the outback.
Green Bush - 10.25pm
Natassia Gorey Furber and Hamilton Morris star in Sweet Country (2017) Source: Bunya Productions
One of Warwick Thornton's first short films made in 2005 that tells the story of a local DJ Kenny, who realises his job at the community radio station is about more than just playing music.
Green Bush Source: SBS Movies
Friday
May 29
The Beach - 7.30pm
Alone on a remote beach in one of the most beautiful yet brutal environments in the world, award-winning film director, Warwick Thornton, attempts to change his life.
Don't miss this epic and completely unique television experience.
The Point Special: Warwick Thornton - 10.15pm
Warwick Thornton The Beach Source: NITV
Hosts Rachael Hocking and John Paul Janke sit down with award-winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton for an intimate interview about his most recent work, The Beach.
Thornton talks about the voluntary self-isolation at beautiful Jilirr Beach in Western Australia's Dampier Peninsula to escape life in the fast lane and the healing power of connection to culture and Country.
Saturday
May 30
She Who Must Be Loved - 7.35PM
An award-winning documentary on the life story of Alfreda Glynn, a 78-year-old Aboriginal woman and co-founder of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association and Imparja TV.
Bamay - 9.05pm
Portrait of Freda Gynn, a woman celebrated in the documentary 'She Who Must Be Loved'. (Supplied) Source: Supplied
A slow TV showcase of Australia's most stunning landscapes, from the Torres Strait to Tasmania and everywhere in between, we pay tribute to that which gives us life: Country.
NITV production, Bamay, means ‘Land’ in Bundjalung language Source: Supplied
Sunday
May 31
We Don't Need A Map - 8.10pm
Filmmaker Warwick Thornton investigates our relationship to the Southern Cross, in this fun and thought-provoking ride through Australia's cultural and political landscape.
He takes us on a journey through this five-star constellation's astronomical, colonial and Indigenous history to the present day.
The Point: Warwick Thornton is Here - 9.40pm
Warwick Thornton, in his documentary ‘We Don’t Need A Map’ (Supplied) Source: Supplied
Karla Grant sits down with acclaimed director Warwick Thornton to discuss his latest documentary film ‘We Don’t Need A Map’ and what inspired him to create a film that raises the question over whether the Southern Cross has the potential to become a racist symbol.
Thornton also reveals what drove him to want to become a film director and about his passion for film making and storytelling.
Monday
June 1
Fire Keepers of Kakadu - 8pm
A documentary following the oldest surviving culture on earth, the Bininj people of the Aboriginal lands of Kakadu, who maintain a traditional life, as they have done so for over 65,000 years.
Living Black: Voiceless- 8.30pm
Karla Grant investigates why the 'Voice to Parliament' failed within days of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and speaks with those at the centre of the debate about if a Voice ever stood a chance.
Mabo: Life of An Island Man - 9pm
Award-winning documentary about the private and public stories of a man so passionate about family and home that he fought an entire nation and its legal system.
Mabo: The Life of an Island Man Source: SBS On Demand
Tuesday
June 2
Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield - 8pm
In the late 1970s, Borroloola elders co-produced a landmark film to expose the threat to their homelands from mining development. In 2019, the eco-battle re-ignites.
Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield Source: Supplied
Wednesday
June 3
The Point: Keeping Our Spirit Strong - 8.30pm
The Point explores how we have kept our culture and identity strong during the coronavirus pandemic while many of us have been isolating away from Country and family. Hosted by Ryan Liddle and Shahni Wellington.
Wik vs Queensland - 9.30pm
This landmark feature documentary surrounds the historical court decision in 1996 by the High Court of Australia, granting native title to the Wik People of Cape York, and the demonisation that followed at the hands of politicians and media.
With unique access to the key players of that moment in history, and featuring never-before-seen footage of the two (then) young lawyers, Noel Pearson and Marcia Langton, Wik Vs Queensland tells a very personal story set against the backdrop of a tumultuous time in Queensland’s history.
National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 - June 3. In 2020, Reconciliation Australia marks 20 years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. Join the conversation on social media #NITV #NRW2020 #InThisTogether2020
Senator Patrick Dodson features in the documentary Wik Vs. Queensland Source: NITV
