Local video marks National Apology Day anniversary
Published: 12 Feb 2021 11:58am
Wagga Wagga City Council is inviting the community to head online to commemorate the 13th Anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generation Survivors.
Council has collaborated with Wiradjuri and First Nations community members to create a truth-telling video which can be viewed on Council’s website.
The video produced by Wagga Wagga-based Wiradjuri videographer Wes Boney features Senior Wiradjuri Elder Uncle James Ingram performing a Welcome to Country, Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Greg Conkey OAM delivering an official civic address and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Gail Manderson reflecting on the significance of the Australian Government’s National Apology to Wiradjuri and First Nations People
The talented Wagga Wagga-based Ngiyampaa singer/songwriter Dane Kennedy also performs his original song ‘Mission Line’.
The Federal Government Apology was delivered by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 and represented the completion of one of the five key measures of reparation recommended in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s 1997 Bringing Them Home Report.
“The Apology was a landmark moment in history and an important step towards healing,” Cr Conkey said.
Aunty Gail Manderson said Mr Rudd’s words in 2008 were important.
“I think it was very important, a lot of people let out their emotions and it had some healing but there is a very long way to go,” Aunty Gail said.
Cr Conkey said the Anniversary of the National Apology video provides the opportunity for the wider community to reflect on past wrongdoings to First Nations People and Stolen Generation Survivors.
“It is a constant reminder that we should continue to commit to reconciliation within Australia and make sure that these devastating occurrences never happen again,” he said.
The video can be viewed online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/apologyday