May 26th is a day to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of First Nations people, who were forcefully removed from their homes and their families, as part of The Stolen Generations. We call this day National Sorry Day, to reflect on how we can all contribute to the healing process for our nation.
In 1997, the Bringing them Home Report was released and marked a pivotal moment in the controversy of The Stolen Generation. As noted in the report, it is a tribute to the strength and struggles of many thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by forcible removal. We acknowledge the hardships they endured and the sacrifices they made. We remember and lament all the children who will never come home. The report is dedicated with thanks and admiration to those who found the strength to tell their stories to the Inquiry and to the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people separated from their families and communities.
So what can we do? Begin by learning more about the culture. Language and culture are inseparable. They are the world’s oldest surviving culture and are made up of many different and distinct groups, all with their own customs, traditions, laws and languages. There are more than 250 Indigenous languages with over 800 dialects.
“Keriba gesep agiakar dikwarda keriba mir. Ableglam keriba Mir pako Tonar nole atakemurkak. / The land actually gave birth to our language. Language and culture are inseparable.” – Bua Benjamin Mabo, Meriam linguist.
This is a link to a First Nations Language Map produced by Understanding Faith, in an attempt to emphasis the magnitude of language, dialects, and even clans, that make up the First Nations culture. Please note that it is a visual representation, so the boundary borders are not precise.
Below are two great creative and informative videos, regarding The Stolen Generations and intergenerational trauma.