Activities promote important discussions

WORDS Taylor Harvey

ACTIVITIES PROMOTE

IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS

Australia is home to the oldest continuing living culture in the entire world. The history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be dated back over 65,000 years ago.

Reconciliation has always been important to the City of Salisbury – it has a long history of delivering programs to enhance relationships, build respect and create opportunities with First Nations people.

During Reconciliation Week, which took place from May 27 to June 3, the City of Salisbury hosted a number of informative sessions to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Council’s program featured Cultural Awareness training with Jack Buckskin on May 30, and Aboriginal Cultural Sensitivity and Respect sessions with Tjimari Sanderson-Milera on June 2 and June 3.

Both sessions included discussions around Aboriginal history, pre and post European contact, impacts of Government policies, Aboriginal identity and Stolen Generations.

Mr Sanderson-Milera said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are “vastly disadvantaged”, and the sessions allowed for people to become better educated on important historical matters.

Being educated on Aboriginal history plays a powerful role in becoming united, with people then able to educate others on how to become an ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Mr Sanderson-Milera said the sessions featured plenty of engagement from community members and allowed them to see things from another perspective.

While there has been plenty of progression made over the years, Mr Sanderson-Milera said more work needs to be done to become a united Australia.

“A lot more needs to be done in our society to move forward and become a united country, instead of a divided one,” he said.

Tjimari Sanderson-Milera at the Salisbury Community Hub.

“Continually having Reconciliation Week obliges people to engage in these important conversations and educate themselves further.”

The City of Salisbury also hosted activities during NAIDOC Week, which took place from July 3 to July 10.

The week provided an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Residents booked seats on Council’s Cultural Bus Tours, which allowed eager participants to learn about Kaurna people and their culture.

Five tours took place over a 10-day period, with each tour visiting Kaurna Park and Greenfields Wetlands. Residents gained a better understanding to why these locations are culturally significant.

Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Chair Frank Wanganeen said Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians.

“Working in collaboration with the City of Salisbury is very important to give a better understanding of Kaurna culture and the wider Aboriginal community, building bridges of understanding for Reconciliation,” Mr Wanganeen said.