Reconciliation Week in Australia

This weekend marks an important time of the year in Australia . On Saturday, the 26th of November, is National Sorry day, which marks the beginning of the 11th annual National Reconciliation Week.

Taken from www.eniar.org/news/marks.html

Some brief information about Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.

“In 1997, 26th May, [the] Federal Parliament [of Australia ] tabled a report that has changed the view of Australians and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people of this nation.

The Bringing Them Home report detailed the abuse that was perpetrated on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities of the removal of children from their families.

The report also recommended that a “Sorry Day” be held each year to recognise the pain that Indigenous people have experienced in this nation. In 1998 over a half a million people responded by signing Sorry Books and taking part in ceremonies on Sorry Day. In May 1999, this people's movement launched a 'Journey of Healing'. Sorry Day events are held annually on May 26. (Taken from http://www.abc.net.au/message/blackarts/culture/s853725.htm on 25th May, 2007)

“National Reconciliation Week offers people across Australia the opportunity to focus on reconciliation, to hear about the culture and history of Australia’s Indigenous people, and to explore new and better ways of meeting challenges in our communities.” [Taken from http://www.reconciliation.org.au/i-cms.isp?page=97 on 25th May, 2007]

You click here to read the Bringing Them Home Report.

This year is especially significant, because it marks the 40th anniversary of a national referendum where the Australian people voted in an overwhelming majority to give more rights to the Indigenous people of Australia .

The Reconciliation Australia website is a good resource to start learning more about this issue. A brief summary from their site states:

“The year 2007 and specifically Sunday 27 May 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of Australia ’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history.

The 1967 referendum saw more than 90% of eligible Australians vote YES to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the national census of the population and to give the Commonwealth Government power to make specific laws in respect of Indigenous people. This event is often referred to as the first stage of the reconciliation movement in Australia .” (Taken from http://www.reconciliation.org.au/i-cms.isp?page=345 on 25th May, 2007).

If you’re interested in learning more about these events, Wikipedia’s Sorry Day site can also be a good starting point.

I'm interested in finding out if they have anything like Sorry Day or Reconciliation Week in other countries. Please let me know.

Peace out, Adam.
Click to see/hide information about Reconciliation Week in Australia.

A Week in Central Queensland

Looking out over Carnarvan Gorge, Central Queensland.

From the 11th - 15th of December I spent the week with a group of Indigenous students in grades 8 and 9 from schools in the Northern Suburbs of Queensland. The project was the combined effort of some community organisations and Indigenous School and Community workers who work with these schools.

It was an amazing experience and ran really smoothly, full credit to the young people who took part.

Highlights included seeing original Aboriginal rock art, surviving a 25km hike, seeing lots of wildlife, getting the bee-jeebus scared out of me by the young people, seeing soooooo many stars (yes, stars still exist away from the pollution!), meeting an Indigenous elder in Mitchel and seeing one of the old Indigenous Missions.

More later.