Reconciliation Week
In Australia, Tuesday, 26th March is known as National Sorry Day and it marks the beginning of an important week. It is known as National Reconciliation Week and it is bookended by the anniversary of two important events in our history.
Every year, Reconciliation Week begins on the 27 May, because 59 years ago, in 1967 the Australian Government held a referendum that was an important turning point in Australian history. The referendum changed the Australian Constitution to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Reconciliation Week ends on 3 June because 34 year ago today, in 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership of Mer (Murray Island).In acknowledging the traditional rights of the Meriam people to their land, the court also held that native title existed for all Indigenous people.
At parade this week, I discussed the commemoration of National Sorry Day by reading the picture book 'Stolen Girl' and discussing the importance of knowing our history so that we can all move forward together as a nation. A Sorry Book will be handed between classes and students, staff and parents are invited to include their thoughts and wishes for the future.