Jason Thomas describes his culture as "a gift".

"It's so significant for us [Aboriginal people] to teach people on Country our way, our song," the proud pakana man said.

"Just to feel the sand between your toes, the birds flying past, the old songs through the trees, [it] all connects us with the sea and land.

"It's in us, from the old people to the young and that's what we want to share.

"We open their eyes and give them a good knowledge of Aboriginal way of life from the old to the new."

This year's Reconciliation Week theme is "grounded in truth, walk together with courage". ( ABC News: Phoebe Hosier )

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, but in Tasmania, the event kicked off early with a celebration of country and culture at putalina/Oyster Cove, south of Hobart.

Pakana woman and co-chair of Reconciliation Tasmania Fiona Hughes led a group of largely non-indigenous Australians through the activities.

She said she was optimistic progress was slowly being made towards genuine reconciliation.

"We're all human beings, we all bleed the same, we all die the same, so this is our journey to walk together," she said.

Visitors to putalina sampled local bush foods, joined in ceremonial dance and learnt enduring cultural practices, such as kelp basket weaving and shell necklace making.

Truganini's ashes were thrown to the wind across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. ( ABC News: Phoebe Hosier )

For some, it was perpetuated myths that prompted them to attend the event.

Tasmanian Aboriginal woman Truganini died in 1876. ( Supplied: The British Museum )

"I was taught at school that [Tasmanian Aboriginal people] ended with the death of Truganini and realised that's not true, so I wanted to find out the real story," one participant said.

While for others, a vision of a future forged together was their main motivation.

"The best way of healing a relationship is by listening and making sure we understand each other, and that's why I came here today," another visitor said.

Many who lived at putalina were survivors of a campaign to remove Tasmanian Aboriginal people from the mainland to a 'refuge' on Flinders Island known as whybalenna.

Hundreds were instead left to die of disease and loneliness while waiting to return to their traditional country.

Those who survived were taken to putalina, among them were famed Tasmanian Aboriginal leaders Truganini and Fanny Cochrane Smith.

The State Government officially returned the land to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in 1995.

Dual naming a priority during Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Tasmania has urged for less talk and more action and called on the State Government to increase the rate of dual naming — the practice of recognising both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal place names— and land return across the state.

The group left red ochre handprints on a rock above Aboriginal graves. ( ABC News: Phoebe Hosier )

"Let's get this reset of this relationship on track and actually happening and celebrate the rich tradition we've got here through actions," Reconciliation Tasmania chief executive Mark Redmond said.

"The most important thing that I think should happen is the Minister for Aboriginal affairs should be an Aboriginal person … they should be speaking for my people," Ms Hughes said.

Co-Chair and Chief Executive of Reconciliation Tasmania, Fiona Hughes and Mark Redmond. ( ABC News: Phoebe Hosier )

Tasmania's Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Jacquie Petrusma, said the State Government was committed to delivering on initiatives that reset the relationship with Aboriginal communities.

"We continue to focus on outcomes that make a real and genuine difference to the lives of Tasmania's Aboriginal people," the statement read.

"We've also commenced a review of the effectiveness of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975, and the consultation feedback report on land return is in its final stages."

Last week's Tasmanian budget pledged $542,000 of new funding over the forward estimates to support initiatives, including $90,000 for the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Alliance and new funding to support the Young Tasmanian Aboriginal Women Leader's Awards.