Vicki Walker is Coordinator, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Archdiocese of Melbourne and Vice Chair, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

 

Reconciliation is a unique moment in time where we are challenged to walk down a road we haven't walked before. The road has many signposts - some will detour and some may endure the long dusty road. Reconciliation is the future for my daughter and her children.

The process of Reconciliation, through the telling and re-telling of deaths in custody and removal of Aboriginal children from their families, has taken an extra toll on my people through reliving the pain and horror of the experiences. These stories have awakened the conscience of this country and allowed some truths of our shared history to emerge, but once again at a great cost to those of us who tell the stories. To help ensure true Reconciliation, through the remembering, the grieving and the healing, I continue to tell the struggle of my people so that one day we can be proud of the rich, ancient, enduring and vibrant living culture that is our nation's heritage.

Reconciliation requires tangible and constructive action and commitment. Different people and organisations will do this in a variety of ways. I particularly urge you to honour and support events organised by local Aboriginal community groups and supporters of Reconciliation. There are also other wider community events, such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, that require people to be highly visible, creative and committed in their responses. We must continue to be vigilant in seeing Reconciliation through to its fulfilment.

 

Return to Voices