Sorry Day has boosted understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues
TWENTY years after the first Sorry Day there is greater understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, says local Aboriginal elder Aunty Flo Watson.
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TWENTY years after the first Sorry Day there is greater understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, says local Aboriginal elder Aunty Flo Watson.
“Since we’ve been doing it we’ve had a lot of response from schools to do cultural awareness training, to go round to schools and do storytelling, explaining what Sorry Day is all about and why it’s celebrated,” said Aunty Flo, Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group chairwoman.
“There’s been a big response to it and a lot of great things have happened.”
Sorry Day will be commemorated at Teralba Park, Everton Park, on Saturday, May 26.
“We want people to respect indigenous culture and heritage, and understand where we come from,” Aunty Flo said.
“Each year we are truly blessed to have people from all walks of life come together and support us in commemorating Sorry Day at Teralba Park.”
About 500 people attended last year’s ceremony. The first, in 1998, drew 1500.
Sorry Day was one of the recommendations from the 1997 Bringing Them Home report into Australia’s stolen generations.
“But, out of the 54 recommendations, only two have been implemented so far (the apology and Sorry Day),” Aunty Flo said.
There has been no compensation for members of the Stolen Generation in Queensland.
Aunty Flo said Teralba Park had special significance in the Stolen Generations story, being near the site of the former Enoggera Boys Home (1906-1978), where many children were taken after being removed from their families.
This year’s ceremony, starting at 7am, will feature stories, and performances by dancers and musicians Aunty Jeanette Fabila, Aunty Ruth Ghee, traditional owner Derek Oram and Mt Nebo’s Peace ‘n’ Choir.
The public will be invited to lay flowers, and a breakfast will be provided after the ceremony (about 9am).
The entrance to the park is in Pullen Rd, Everton Park, near Osborne Rd.
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