Sorry Day reflections Committee vacancies

As Kiama citizens gathered to mark Australia’s 26th Sorry Day at the Kiama Pavilion earlier this month, local Indigenous leader Aunty Gwenda Jarrett explained the significance of this day for First Nations people.

“Sorry Day for us is a significant symbolic event that happens around the country. It’s very special for us and very sad for others because as you know, all the trauma and tragedy and all those people that were taken, some of them still haven’t found their families today.”

National Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the introduction of the Bringing Them Home report, a landmark document detailing the treatment of the Stolen Generation of First Nation children who were forcibly taken from their homes.

It wasn’t until 2007 that the Australian Government recognised the occasion in any official capacity.

Kiama Council’s Sorry Day ceremonies were presided over by Stuart Larkins, our first Councillor of First Nation’s heritage. The welcome to country performance came from the Djaadjawan Dancers and the smoking ceremony was done by Aunty Gwenda and husband Stan Jarrett.

This years’ theme is: “Be a

Voice for many Generations,” encouraging everyone to be a voice for reconciliation. The theme has taken a whole new meaning this year as the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament was on the minds of those in attendance.

Aunty Gwenda says that while she had initially rejected the Voice to Parliament, she now supported it after working closely with the community, her family and government ministers such as Aunty Linda Burney.

Meanwhile, at the Kiama Uniting Church last month, Aboriginal Christian leader, writer, speaker and Wakka Wakka woman, Brooke Prentis spoke to around 60 people about the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

Brooke encouraged those in attendance to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart – a document that outlines the largest consensus by First Nations peoples on the need for recognition and reconciliation – and to spark conversations with friends and family about the statement and referendum.

She also spoke about the significance of Voice, Treaty and Truth and shared a timeline of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who have petitioned successive governments to recognise their rights and respect their culture, identity and spirituality through a treaty.

As it stands, Australia is the only country in the world without a treaty with its First Nations people.

More information at: ulurustatement.org yes23.com.au recogniseabetterway.org.au

by Brendon Foye