In This Together on National Sorry Day, ahead of National Reconciliation Week

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.

Celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020 on social media:

• Upload a photo about what this year’s theme — In this Together — means for you and those around you
• Use the hashtags #NRW2020 #DeadlyStories #InThisTogether
• Follow Deadly Stories on Facebook
• Connect with the new Instagram page Deadly.Stories

For more information and resources, visit www.datsip.qld.gov.au/nrw  

Mr Crawford said the Queensland Government’s initiatives to reframe the relationship with First Nations peoples align with this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme.

“National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to continue important community conversations towards truth-telling and healing,” he said.

For more information about National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week, visit the Reconciliation Australia website at www.reconciliation.org.au

Statewide grant recipients:

Blair State School Parents and Citizens Association

Blue Care

Brisbane Youth Service

Caboolture State High School Parents and Citizens Association

Capella State School Parents and Citizens Association

Carbal Medical Services

Cleveland State Primary School Parents and Citizens Association

Cook Shire Council

Cowboys Rugby League Football Limited

Creative Gladstone Region Inc

Crystal Waters Community Cooperative Ltd

Darling Downs Broadcasting Society Inc

Darumbal Enterprises

Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council

Eidsvold Aboriginal Housing and Community Development Society Ltd

Gidarjil Development Corporation

Gold Coast Titans Community Benefit Fund

Gunya Meta

Gympie Regional Council

Jabani Jinna Indigenous Corporation

Juwarki Kapu-Lug Ltd

Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd

Machans Beach State School Parents and Citizens Association

Maleny Neighbourhood Centre Inc

Maleny State High School Parents and Citizens Association

Maryborough Aboriginal Corporation for Housing and Cultural Development

Maryborough Wide Bay and Burnett Historical Society Inc

Meridan State College Parents and Citizens Association

Mornington Shire Council

Northern Gulf Resource Management Group

Orpheus Nominees Pty Ltd t/a Daintree Ecolodge

Pacific Arts & Cultural Heritage Inc

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

PCYC Aurukun

PCYC Hervey Bay

PCYC Napranum

PCYC Woorabinda

PCYC Yarrabah

Playgroup Queensland

Qld Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service

Stepping Black Indigenous Corporation Aust

Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group Inc

Torres Shire Council

Torres Strait Islanders Media Association

Yourtown

Yugara Yugarapul Aboriginal Corporation

ENDS

Media contact:  Hope Fabillar 0428 343 432