RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA WELCOMES NEW STOLEN GENERATIONS PARTNERSHIP
Media Release – 27 May 2010
Reconciliation Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement to develop new support efforts for members of the Stolen Generations.
At the start of National Reconciliation Week, Reconciliation Australia Co-Chairs Mick Dodson and Mark Leibler said the Stolen Generations Working Partnership was an important step in the healing process and crucial to reconciliation.
"On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I would like to congratulate the Government for developing this new partnership and working with members of the Stolen Generations to create appropriate services to help address traumas and grief," Prof Dodson said.
"I would further like to commend the National Sorry Day Committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance on their work with the Government to develop this important partnership that was announced yesterday, National Sorry Day.
We must provide specific, ongoing and accessible counselling and support to those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who were forcibly removed from their families," said Prof Dodson.
Mr Leibler said, "While the Government has the increased support they’ve given to the Stolen Generations since the National Apology in 2008, it’s important for us all to see this through by improving the lives of all Indigenous Australians and closing the gaps in health and education. This benefits all Australians.
"Healing is an important aspect of reconciliation for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and an essential ingredient in generating the kind of long term success that is in all our best interests."
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held every year between 27 May and 3 June and is framed by two significant dates in Australia’s history which best symbolise the hopes and aims for reconciliation. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and 3 June marks the anniversary of the 1992 High Court judgment in the Mabo case.
This National Reconciliation Week marks the 10th anniversary of a significant reconciliation milestone—the historic Bridge Walks for Reconciliation—which saw almost a million Australians walk in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
For more information about National Reconciliation Week visit www.reconciliation.org.au
Media Contact: Kylie Thompson, 0418 633 277 or kylie.thompson@reconciliation.org.au
