25 May, 2016

National Sorry Day

Today City of Adelaide and its Reconciliation Committee acknowledge National Sorry Day and commit to continuing to advance reconciliation in the city.

National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to acknowledge and raise awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture.

National Reconciliation Week begins tomorrow and runs until 3 June to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

From today to Friday next week you will see the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag flown on additional flagpoles, where available, next to or near the Australian National Flag on South Australian Government buildings and establishments.

Councillor and Reconciliation Committee member Priscilla Corbell said that Council honours the historical association of Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga as the birthplace of the Aboriginal flag.

“The Aboriginal flag flies permanently and proudly on one of the two large flagpoles in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga,” said Priscilla.

“I’m also proud that our Reconciliation Committee was formed in 2002 with goals to advance reconciliation in the City between Aboriginal and Torres Islander people and the wider community.”

In May 2015, City of Adelaide endorsed its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-18. The plan consolidates the Council's long-standing commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

City of Adelaide’s community centres also play an active role in promoting reconciliation in the city and community members are welcome to attend the various activities they host over the week.

One of these activities includes an Aboriginal Cultural Bus Tour & Native Aboriginal food tasting on Tuesday 31 May 10am-12pm. Led by an Aboriginal Elder, the free tour will explore and explain Adelaide’s local history and sites of Aboriginal significance. It departs and returns from the North Adelaide Community Centre and Library and bookings essential via [email protected] or 8203 7811.

Last year, City of Adelaide launched its Mankurri-api Kuu / Reconciliation Room and we encourage people to visit and use this very special meeting place. The room is hosting a free exhibition displaying 12 storyboards, forming an exquisite historical display of missions and reserves and children’s homes established in SA. They are a source of information for Aboriginal family union and family genealogy.

Matt Halliwell