It’s National Sorry Day today, when Australians are being encouraged to remember the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in the spirit of healing and truth telling.
On 26 May each year, the day acknowledges and recognises members of the Stolen Generations and the impact of forced removals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said National Sorry Day is one of 54 recommendations included in the Bringing Them Home Report to redress the impacts of removal and address ongoing trauma.
“The first National Sorry Day was held on this day in 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of the report and acknowledge the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the Stolen Generations,” Mr Crawford said.
National Sorry Day is on the eve of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), when Queenslanders are encouraged to celebrate this year’s theme — In This Together — on social media, ahead of record celebrations next year.
Mr Crawford said National Reconciliation Week was an opportunity for all Queenslanders to join the reconciliation journey.
“National Reconciliation Week is a national campaign held each year from 27 May to 3 June to celebrate and build on respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous peoples.
“With social distancing in place due to COVID-19, events involving groups of people gathering cannot be held, but I am pleased to announce the recipients of record State Government funding towards National Reconciliation Week next year.
“The $250,000 Celebrating Reconciliation Small Grants Program is our biggest round yet and will support up to 48 Queensland events by councils, community groups and non-profit organisations to be held during or around National Reconciliation Week 2021,” he said.
The Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships-funded program has supported more than 100 reconciliation events since launching in 2018.
Mr Crawford encouraged Queenslanders to get online and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020 (27 May–3 June) by sharing social media snaps about what this year’s theme — In This Together — means to them.
“This year I’ll be joining Queenslanders to celebrate on social media,” he said.
