Mr James Wandin is an Elder of the Wurundjeri and Chairperson of the Kulin Nation Cultural Heritage Organisation

Extract from his address to the Parliament of Victoria
National Reconciliation Week, 31 May 2000

 

Reconciliation between Australia's Aboriginal and immigrant communities is considered to be a vital component of Australia's aspirations for the future. As we all know, in 1991, with the unanimous support of Parliament, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established. In the 10-year process justice and equality has been the aim of this work, with cross-cultural education and awareness the main mechanisms.

We believe some of the Australian people are committed to the process of Reconciliation. Some are willing to learn about Aboriginal people and their culture and to gain a better understanding and others are using this process to divide the nation. The walk across the bridge in Sydney signifies that many Australians want Reconciliation in some form or another, but what about those who don't?

The road is long, with many corners, straight lines with no horizon and twisted tracks. But the footprints are there on the land, footprints that belonged to our ancestors who have left their mark on the land for us to follow. For those of us who believe in Reconciliation, the real journey has begun. We have now turned the second corner. Because of people's involvement in the consultation process, we no longer have a draft document; we have a national document for Reconciliation.

The next part of the journey is how to continue to carry out the contents of this document. Will there be a big celebration and nothing more? We hope not. The document for reconciliation should not be shelved to gather dust but become a practical and living resource for social justice.

We are sorry for the pain and suffering of our ancestors, and we will never forget them. We need to heal and strengthen ourselves to continue on with their struggle for equality and justice for Aboriginal people.

We as the Wurundjeri people urge the Victorian Government not to lose sight of this significant change to history. Otherwise we may never have cultural harmony. To achieve this will not be easy and we all recognise that. Positive action and your support will help us to find the necessary answers along the way to reforms compatible and acceptable to all.

 

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