Historical Acceptance is key to reconciliation in Australia. Historical acceptance means that Australians recognise, understand, and accept the wrongs of the past and the impact of these wrongs on First Peoples and ensure that the wrongs of the past never happen again. Historical acceptance cannot occur without truth-telling. Telling the truth about our history not only brings to light colonial conflict and dispossession, but also acknowledges the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
(Reconciliation Australia 2023)
Students have been learning about the importance and significance of Sorry Day. Every year on May 26th, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the horrible mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
National Sorry Day, or the National Day of Healing, is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for First Nations people and nation (Healing Foundation. 2023).
In the studio students have been making paper Native Hibiscus flowers. photographing and wearing them to symbolise and express their care, understanding and ongoing commitment to the healing of the Stolen Generations and reconciliation.
The Stolen Generation flower is a five-petal Native Hibiscus which grows across Australia and survives in harsh conditions. It is a symbol of strength, resilience and healing. It was chosen by the Kimberly Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation endorsed by the National Sorry Day Committee and embraced by the National Stolen Generations Alliance. It was chosen ‘to symbolise the scattering of the Stolen Generation and their strength and resilience to the eugenic policies of Australia. The colour purple symbolises compassion and spiritual healing and the flower is worn in solidarity and symbolises unity, strength and understanding’ (Kimberly Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation 2021).
Flowers and photography by the children.
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