May 26th – National Sorry Day
May 27th – June 3rd – National Reconciliation Week
(theme: Be a Voice for Generations)
June 3rd – Mabo Day
“I hope all Australians, whether they’ve been here for generations or just a short time, will take a quiet or (loud) moment to recognise our Stolen Generations on 26 May”.
Charles Passi, a Dauareb tribesman from the Mer Island group in the Torres Straits, and Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation
On 26th May 1997, the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in the Federal Parliament, recommending that a National Sorry Day be held each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations which has affected, directly or indirectly, most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Bringing Them Hope report was the outcome of a Government Inquiry into the past policies which caused children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century.
The first National Sorry Day was held on 26th May 1998.
Sorry Day is a positive contribution to the journey of healing, as was the national Apology. Healing is a process of returning to physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing.
Prayer (Lutheran Church in Australia Reconciliation Action Plan)
Almighty and loving God,
You who created ALL people in your image, lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of the violence in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories.
You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sin is forgiven. We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.
We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness, and in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children and their families.
Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits.
In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable.
Lord you are our hope. Amen
Resources:
Prayer for Sorry Day
Let’s Talk Sorry Day [Source Reconciliation Australia]