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Sorry in London

May 2005 - TNT (UK) - Australian day of reconciliation spreads north. When the first Sorry Day was held in Australia in 1998, thousands of people took to the streets in an act of protest, in solidarity with the Stolen Generations and in the spirit of reconciliation.

Sorry Day UK 2005 Brigitte Anderssen, Francis Firebrace: photo © Jobe Bail

Seven years later, Sorry Day has made it to the other side of the lobe, making its London debut on Wednesday.

Organisers hope it will become an annual event and not only remind London-based Aussies of a troubled history, but also become a day to celebrate and educate about the Aboriginal population, its customs and issues that impact regional indigenous communities.

Spokeswoman for the London event, Nancy Lee, said she hoped the day – in the process of being renamed the National Day of Healing – would raise awareness for the plight of indigenous communities as well as provide an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal traditions, stories and customs.

“I think it is becoming a celebration of indigenous culture. And it is helping them in their journey and healing wounds,” Lee said.

The “stolen generations” refers to Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families until the 1970s. Many were taken to church or government institutions and denied contact with their families, languages or culture.

Organised by the European Network for Indigenous Australian Rights (ENIAR), the event will be held at the bandstand in Lincoln's Inn Fields from 12pm to 2.30pm. It will feature Aboriginal storytelling, music, dance and poetry, Artists include storyteller Chris Robinson, stories, poetry and dance from Francis Firebrace and poetry from Rikki Shields. Philip Jackson will also provide some music with his didgeridoo.

Sorry Day in Australia will be held on May 26 when it will officially be relaunched as they National Day of Healing at Parliament Hall in Canberra.

“This is a day to open up the whole relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians,” said co-chair of the organising committee of the Australian events, Ray Minniecom. “We are amazed and delighted that Sorry Day will be marked in the UK too”.

Source: TNT, UK

Further information: stolen generations issues page - includes news index and external links

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