National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2025

Today Australia marks the National Sorry Day, in remembrance and reflection on the forced removal of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, known as the Stolen Generations, from their families and communities. On this day, we also acknowledge the strength of the survivors, and reflect on the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.

National Sorry Day is a prelude to the National Reconciliation Week, starting on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum which opened the door to addressing some of the inequalities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and concluding on 3 June with Mabo Day, commemorating the landmark High Court decision that recognised native title and overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius in Australia. 

ASRC is observing the Reconciliation Week activities with a number of activities. Our Reconciliation Working Group invited staff and volunteers to take a moment to reflect on the Indigenous Country everyone feels most connected to, and we created an Indigenous Map of Australia that reflects the diverse connections to Country among our staff and volunteers. While the highest concentration of connection was in the Indigenous lands in Victoria, our 3D map shows connections as far reaching as Yolngu (Arnhem Land), Pitjantjatjara (Uluru – Kata Tjuta), Whadjuk (Perth) and Yadhaigana (Cape York).

ASRC staff and volunteers will deepen their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal art and history this week, with the screening of two short films at our centre in Footscray, Babakiueria and Living Black: Freedom Rides, a documentary the historic 1965 Freedom Ride led by Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins, where a group of University of Sydney students traveled through regional New South Wales to expose racism and prejudice. 

This week we have also started preparations for actively supporting the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Walk for Truth which kicked off yesterday, with Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett setting off on a 400 km journey from Gunditjmara Country (Portland), where colonisation of Victoria began, to Victorian Parliament. ASRC is joining this important initiative with an event during the Foostcray leg of the journey, 16 June, before the walk concludes at the Victorian Parliament on 18 June.

Truth is one of the three key areas of work identified in the Uluru Statement of the Heart, as is Treaty – ASRC is in conversation with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and is currently exploring ways in which we can support the process of Treaty for Victoria as allies, honouring our commitment to building a community where the right to self-determination and the truth-telling of First Nations People are recognised and respected by all. As the theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, Bridging Now to Next, is urging, we stand firm in our determination to use our knowledge of the past to create a positive change in the future.

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Find out more about events happening during the Reconciliation Week here:

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/calendar/

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/voices-for-reconciliation

https://events.humanitix.com/river-ramble-for-reconciliation

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