In
this painting George has shown some key tensions that can exist today in the
lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. They can feel
themselves being pulled between their own cultural values and those of the
dominant Australian society. They can find it hard to balance these pressures
and tensions. He identifies five tensions: culture, family, oneself, country
and spirit.
Each
tension reminds us about the history of this land and why the Prime Minister's
Apology was needed if healing of past hurts was to begin. The Apology touched
the hearts of many Australians because it spoke an important truth about our
past and acknowledged that a better future is also up to each one of us. The
past is not something to be found in a history book. It is discovered in
people's lives and for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people there
remains a painful history they continue to remember and carry within them. This
painting can help us remember what some continue to live with today. It can
also invite us to think about the Apology and what we have done since that
time. It can offer some ideas and suggestions to take the Apology one step
further.
‘We honour
the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human
history ...'
Culture:
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people can feel that many Australians do not
respect their culture.
-
Do I know the name of the
Traditional people of the land where I live?
-
Have I tried to learn
something about them? Do I know the
original names of places, mountains and rivers where I live?
-
When we have important
meetings or occasions, do I acknowledge them?
‘We apologise especially for the removal of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families ...'
Family:
Many Australians do not know much
about the Stolen Generations and how children were removed from their families.
-
Have I listened to any of
the stories of the Stolen Generations where Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people describe what happened to them, their
parents and grandparents?
-
What do these stories
tell me about the importance of family, Church and being Australian?
-
In what ways can I pay
respect to this sad part of our Australian story?
‘For the pain, suffering and hurt of these
Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we
say sorry ...'
Oneself:
Western culture places great
emphasis on people learning to take individual responsibility for their lives,
whereas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
culture places great importance on family and extended relationships.
-
What do I know about the
ancient history of my own land?
-
When did I last read or
listen to or go to see something that could help me celebrate the ancient
history and culture of my own country?
-
What responsibility have
I taken for furthering reconciliation in this country and caring for this land
I love?
‘We apologise especially for the removal of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from ... their country ...'
Country:
Most Australians live in
cities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people can be found in all of our major cities and in rural and remote
communities.
-
Who is my favourite
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander musician, artist, dancer or storyteller?
-
What do they sing, paint,
dance or talk about?
-
How can I share and enjoy
more their music, art, theatre and stories?
‘We the Parliament of Australia respectfully
request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as
part of the healing of the nation ...'
Spirit:
Spirituality is at the heart of
being Christian. It is the strength and
grace of reconciliation. It is also at the
heart of being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
-
Where is the Spirit of
healing and reconciliation to be found in my local Church, school, family or
workplace?
-
When I use the word
‘sorry' what does the Church and the Gospel teach me that it means? How does that understanding enrich the Prime
Minister's Apology?
-
How can I make ‘sorry'
more than a word?