TO MARK the anniversary of the Government’s historic apology to the Stolen Generation, the community gathered at Rumbalara Co-Operative’s Woongi Unit to reflect and come together in renewed commitment to reconciliation.
First Nations community members and allies united, creating an atmosphere of unity and healing. A significant moment was the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, reflecting on past injustices and the path forward. Nartarsha Napanagka Bamblett, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, mother and speaker, emphasised the ancestral struggle and the need for acknowledgment, recognition, and healing.
“The Country we’re standing on belongs to a strong line of ancestors that have been walking and gathering for many generations, fighting for our young ones, for us today that have been coming together not just for the justices, but for the acknowledgment and recognition and the healing of our people,” Nartarsha said.
The event not only reflected on past injustices but also aimed to foster understanding and build bridges for a better future.
Attendees participated in reflection, dialogue, shared meals and storytelling, took part in a collaborative art project and an interactive workshop after viewing the short film “Fractured: Broken Ties, Reclaimed Lives,” which shares the stories of Stolen Generations survivors and their journey to restore broken ties, heal the past and reclaim their Aboriginal heritage.
Those in attendance came from all walks of life, all with a common goal of reconciliation and with respect for Indigenous histories and experiences, understanding the significance of the Apology and the work left to do to address the ongoing traumas caused by colonisation.
