Local First Nations Elders and community members gathered at the Sorry Day Rock, located in the Wollundry Lagoon precinct, on Tuesday 26 May to commemorate National Sorry Day.
Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, known as The Stolen Generations.
The day provides a chance for all members of the community to come together and contribute to the healing journey.
The ceremony commenced with a Smoking Ceremony conducted by Ryder McDonnell, followed by a performance by the Ashmont Public School's Waganha Bila-dha First Nations dance group.
Four local young First Nations people emceed the event; Eli Little from Kooringal High School, Bray Irvine from Wagga Wagga High School, Audrinna Pinney from Mount Austin High School and Colton Newland from The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) while students from 13 local schools recited poems, stories and song lyrics about the Stolen Generations.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout spoke at the event.
"Today we remember the Stolen Generations and intergenerational trauma caused by government policies that removed children from their families simply because they were Aboriginal," Cr Tout said.
"Wagga Wagga City Council stands with the Stolen Generations and with all who have been impacted by the legacy of these policies.
"We are committed to continuing the hard work of healing and reconciliation, grounded in truth and led by respect.
"We cannot undo what has been done, but we can face the truth, and we can commit to never allowing it to happen again."
National Sorry Day is followed by National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June - a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The theme for this year is All In for Reconciliation, reminding us that reconciliation is for everyone to get involved in, and that all of us must take action to create change.
