National Reconciliation Week will be recognised on SBS’ National Indigenous Television (NITV) with a series of programs targeted at all Australians.
NITV said its National Reconciliation Week programming will invite viewers to learn about the country’s shared stories, cultures and achievements, while exploring how each individual can help Australia reach reconciliation. Celebratory programming will also mark the 30th Mabo Day and the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait Islander flag.
National Reconciliation Week in 2022 will run from May 27 to June 3.
One of the key new programming additions for National Reconciliation Week is “Feeding the Scrum”, kicking off at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24.
“Feeding the Scrum” will be hosted by NRL legend George Rose, who will take the show’s guest panel out of the studio and into the kitchen.
Each week, Rose will be joined my some of the best NRL players, as well as a mix of well-known athletes and entertainers, as they dissect all the big NRL news and real-world issues over a meal dished up by chef and restauranter Aaron Grant.
Dual international rugby league and touch icon Bo de la Cruz will be a guest host for special episodes throughout the season, while Abie Wright, Leli SK and Latrell Mitchell appear in the first episode.
Later in the week, at 9:05 p.m. on Friday, May 27, NITV will broadcast the First Nations Art Awards. The Awards will be hosted by Karla Grant and Luke Currie-Richardson, who will recognise and celebrate the outstanding creativity and lifetime achievements of First Nations artists.
The following day, NITV will celebrate Indigenous horror films by screening “The Moogai” followed by “The Darkside”.
On May 29, it’s the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait Islander flag. To mark the occasion, “Carry the Flag” will air the following day on Monday, May 30. It charts the story of the man who designed it, Bernard Namok Senior, bringing into focus a nation of people once invisible to the mainland of Australia.
On May 30, NITV will also broadcast “Living Black”, featuring a special conversation with performer Mitch Tambo. Host Karla Grant will travel to Torquay in Victoria to talk to Tambo about his life, his love of language and to hear about the birth of his child, Phoenix.
To celebrate Mabo Day, NITV’s news and current affairs program “The Point” will have a special edition on Tuesday, May 31, before NITV’s weekly wrap-up news program “Nula” features crosses to the actual celebrations on Friday, June 3.
On Mabo Day, NITV will also air “Land Bilong Islanders”, telling the story of the ‘Mabo Case’ through rare interviews with the late Eddie Mabo, James Rice, Father Dave Passi and others involved in the historic legal battle.
Throughout the week, NITV will also air a number of important Indigenous films including “The Tracker”, “Sweet Country”, “Radiance” and “Samson and Delilah”. Further options including “Yolngu Boy” and “Rabbit Proof Fence” will be available on SBS On Demand.
Tanya Denning-Orman, director of Indigenous content for SBS, said this National Reconciliation Week is set to be powerful.
“As with any anniversary, it is important for us to reflect on the past and take note of how we have progressed as a nation,” she said. “This year, our community will celebrate two 30th anniversaries – the 30th Mabo Day and the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait Islander flag. We are so pleased to be able to highlight incredible content that can further educate all Australians on the land they live on.”
She said it was also fitting that “Feeding the Scrum” – incorporating food, sport and a good yarn – was having its premiere during National Reconciliation Week.
Host, Rose, agreed.
“What a week to premiere our new program,” he said. “I’m so looking forward to showing off “Feeding the Scrum” and inviting all of Australia into the kitchen for a yarn with me and the best in the sport and entertainment business. It’s always a pleasure to work with the NITV family and I can’t wait for Australia to see what we serve up for this season on “Feeding the Scrum”,” he said.