National Centre for Reconciliation Truth and Justice Lecture | Reconciliation Australia

Jesse J Fleay will present “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations Australians in the workforce from 1840’s till Present”, as the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice’s 2025 National Reconciliation Week lecture.

Jesse will explore themes as to how colonial and federal legislation systematically marginalised First Nations peoples by undermining their legal agency and enforcing servitude under the guise of protection and training; and how these injustices are not merely historical, but are entrenched in the modern Australian workforce, where systemic racism continues to shape policies and economic outcomes for many Australians.

By addressing the legislative void that has perpetuated inequality, it is hoped that this lecture will contribute to the broader project of truth-telling and reconciliation in Australia; as the lecture will underscore that genuine progress requires acknowledging the economic dimensions of colonisation and committing to structural change guided by First Nations communities themselves.