National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
National Sorry Day
Friday 26th May is a significant day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly for our Stolen Generations survivors. Commemorating ‘Sorry Day’ was one of the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home report, which was tabled in Parliament on 26th May 1997. This report was the result of a National Inquiry into the forcible removal of Indigenous children from their families, communities and cultural identity. The first ‘Sorry Day’ was held in Sydney in 1998 and is now held nationally with memorials and commemorative events that honour the Stolen Generations.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is from 27th May to 3rd June. It is an ideal time for everyone to join the reconciliation conversation and reflect on shared histories, contributions and achievements. It is held annually and is a time to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. Preceded by National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week is framed by two key events in Australia’s history, which provide strong symbols for reconciliation:
• 27th May 1967 – After 10 years of campaigning, a referendum on Indigenous recognition in the Australian constitution was held. The lead-up to the poll focused public attention on the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were treated as second-class citizens. Nearly 91 per cent of the electorate voted to amend the constitution.
• 3rd June 1992 – the historic Mabo decision. The Mabo decision was named after Eddie Mabo, the man who challenged the Australian legal system and fought for recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of their land.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is 'Be a Voice for Generations'. The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
More information on Reconciliation Australia can be found at:
https://nrw.reconciliation.
Leanne Parsons and Nikki Parsons
Indigenous Education Workers