To the Editor It is 10 years since the Sorry Statement was made in Parliament. It is worth reflecting on what progress is occurring in the reconciliation process. The Rural City of Benalla takes part in this reconciliation process and has a statement that is read out before all council functions. This is the statement:- "We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respects to their elders and the elders from other communities who may be here today. We also acknowledge all other peoples who have contributed to the rich diversity of this Country.” I feel this acknowledgement could be improved. I find it vague and confusing. Just what are we saying here? Are we acknowledging the Aboriginal traditional owners of the land? Are we acknowledging that we exist on Aboriginal land? The first sentence refers partially to Aboriginal people but then refers to other communities. Are these communities other aboriginal communities? Are we likely to have other aboriginal communities present? Just what does this phrase mean? Who are these other peoples? Are they meant to be aboriginal? Is it not odd that this sentence does not even mention the word Aboriginal? The second sentence does not refer to aboriginals but other peoples. Who are these other peoples? Is this referring to white pioneers of this region? It seems to me that this sentence can only refer to non-aboriginal people. Should not the acknowledgement statement simply refer to Aboriginal Elders and their traditional ownership of the land? The current acknowledgement is a grudging statement. It is read as if the reader does not really want to read it out but is being forced to. It is as if the reader is saying I don’t want to read this but if I do I want to mention white people also. The reconciliation process needs to have meaningful symbolic gestures that in time will affect the way people feel. We should have rituals that have meaning. Yours Faithfully Neville Gibb
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February 2024
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