Reconciliation 

This week marks the anniversary of 3 significant dates.

National Sorry Day became an important date on the 26th May in 1998, when the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report was published. The date is observed to remember the grief, suffering and gross injustice experienced by the Stolen Generation. The Stolen Generation represents Aboriginal babies/children that were forcibly removed from their mothers, fathers and families between 1910 and as recently as 1970.

Reconciliation Week, a momentous turning point in Australian History is the 1967 Referendum. On the 27th of May, in 1967, 90% of Australian's voted 'yes' to change to Australian constitution. Up until this date, the constitution never included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the census. They had the right to vote, but Our First Nation’s People were not counted.

The concluding date for Reconciliation Week is the 3rd June. This date marks the Anniversary, that the famous Torres Strait Islander man, Eddie Kioiki Mabo, won the historic legal case for Native Title. On the 3rd June 1992, after 10 long years the decision was given in the High Court of Australia. Paving the way for the establishment and legal framework of the Native Title Act 1993. From this date, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the right to claim their land, sea and water ways legally.

~ Ms Rene Taylor

   Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Support