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Indigenous appeal: sorry is not hard to say

By Jessica Wright

27 January 2008 - "IT'S BEEN a tough year."

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service chief executive Julie Tongs knows a little about doing it tough.

A Wiradjuri woman, Ms Tongs was born in Leeton and grew up in Whitton, NSW. She has lived in Canberra for the past 34 years.

A strong advocate for the rights and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and region, Ms Tongs lists the Howard government's Northern Territory intervention as an emotional, trying time for the indigenous population.

She also fights daily battles in her role at the Narrabundah health centre, determined to raise the standards of life for her charges.

"I guess working in the medical services, with unpredictable clients, working with disadvantaged people who have drug and alcohol problems, it is hard and rewarding simultaneously," she said.

Speaking on Australia Day, MsTongs said celebrations held little value for indigenous Australians.

"To us it is about survival: survival as a people, the first people of this country," she said.

"Australia Day is probably not the most appropriate day for recognition of our people.

"Perhaps when the new Government says sorry, we will look to a national day."

And sorry is the one word MsTongs will be holding out to hear this year.

"It is so important. That word allows us to move on," she said.

"Sorry is not a hard word to say it is the recognition of what it represents."

Source: The Canberra Times

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