Living in Harmony – Honouring our First Nation People
Reflection
A few years ago, I heard a radio interview with Australian Indigenous author, Kim Scott, who said ‘the age of reconciliation’ is about to finish and the new ‘age of healing’ is coming. I like the idea of an age of healing. Our national leaders have apologised for past wrong-doing. The First People are being honoured in many places. Indigenous and non-indigenous are coming together. While I marvel at how far this nation has come compared to where it has been in relation to the people who have walked, cared and loved this land for over 60,000 years, we all know there is much to do. That past is very much with us today. Our challenge is for all to listen with an open heart to what occurred in the past and, having listened and understood, commit ourselves individually and collectively to reconciliation.
Albert Camus wrote that, ‘In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.’ Camus was writing from a European perspective however, he refused to be gripped forever by whatever the winter may be. I am very optimistic about the future of our First Australians. There are many challenges ahead that can immobilise us but if we choose to be people who are working for the possibility of transformed lives, attitudes and societies, then the future of our First Australians is hopeful.
As we celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we acknowledge the anniversary of the Referendum in 1967 which allowed the Federal Government to grant citizenship rights to our First Nation people. The week concludes with the anniversary of the High Court judgement in the Mabo case in 1992 which recognised the Native Title rights of certain First Nation people to their land. These commemorative events are an important part of the healing process. In order to change, we have to remember.
