"SORRY" and it's symbolic importance

Today and tomorrow are significant moments in Australian history as we have and will witness a "Welcome to Country" opening the first session of our Federal Parliament under the new Labor Government and tomorrow an apology to the "Stolen Generations" of all indigenous people effected by the policy of forced removal of children carried out by governments, agencies and churches. Perhaps it's true "when you change the government you change the country!"
There has been a lot of commentary and controversy around the 'need' for an apology and the wording of same. Most of the negative response has by my observation been self centred and focused on preservation or limiting the 'cost' of such a thing. Every time I hear the topic on radio and in the print media I am reminded of the motivation and skills required in 'actively listening to' or helping someone else who is struggling in some way. It's all about the focus being on the needs of the person [not ourselves]. It's motivated by a desire to see all living 'whole' lives and doing our part to remove any stumbling blocks. Mostly people seem to get it! But the majority of critics seem not to grasp this ability to see the issues and feelings through 'the eyes of the other'.


Is it 'do we need to apologise?' OR is it 'do aboriginal people need us to apologise?'

Either way it's like those times when despite your conviction you've 'done nothing wrong' it's clear another person is effected by what you've said or done in a way that a simple apology can remedy. Or while at the time it seemed like 'the right thing to do' you later realise that from the perspective of the other and by all the evidence and narrative available to you it's time to reassess and 'own up' to past mistakes. When I say 'sorry' to a bereaved friend and I didn't do anything to contribute to the persons death I may be using the wrong word but I just mean I feel for them and wish it were different!
There's also a lot of comment about SORRY as a symbols. There's nothing wrong with symbolism per se... it needs an adjective like deep symbolism, poor symbolism, misplaced symbolism or appropriate and desperately longed for SYMBOLISM!!
I for one [and I seem to not be alone] believe despite the best intentions of those carrying out the policy up until at least the 1970's [not the 1870's] the impacts detailed and shared in the 'Bringing Them Home' Report are too important to ignore!!
The Uniting Church made it's apology about ten years ago and has since been entered into a 'covenanting' or reconciliation relationship with indigenous people and particularly the 'United Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress' [UAICC].
In many articles and conversations I have shared the view with colleagues and friends that it's a matter effecting the 'very soul' of our nation and I see PM Kevin Rudd and others share this view. We take another step in 'growing up' as a nation on Feb 13 as we say SORRY!!

Do I really need to write anything about God's perspective or the biblical standpoint on this?

Next steps and our own personal responses will be vital, lest we fall into the trap of "loving justice and doing mercy" which is the all too easy soft sell version of Micah 6:8.

You could:
Pray for reconciliation and indigenous people
Join a Support or Covenanting Group
Support local Aboriginal groups and communities
Challenge racist stereotypes/jokes/first impressions etc
Invite Local groups to join in events, speak to your group, celebrate together
Acknowldege the traditional owners of the land in your place through a church grounds plaque and statement at the beginning of any events and happenings
Be a friend
Be a Mentor
Live Justly
Read up
Read a copy of the extracted stories from the 'Bringing Them Home' Report
And so it goes on...

I had tears in my eyes as I listened to Matilda House-Williams doing the 'welcome to country' with humour and strength this morning and I assume tomorrow will be just an amazing happening!! It all reminded me of the Warumpi Band and Midnight Oil touring central and northern Australia in 1986 which led to the writing and release of "Diesel and Dust" and is preserved in the Blackfella/Whitefella documentary. "Stand Up and Be Counted" gives way to "The Dead Heart" as the bands swap places in between each ones set!! Note a young Neil Murray and the charismatic lead singer George Burrarrawanga from Elcho Island. The Warump's were first to record the song "My Island Home" now closely identified with Christine Anu.

"Stand Up and Be Counted"
Blackfella Whitefella Doesn't matter What ya' colour
As long as you A true fella
As long as you A real fella
All the people Of different races Around the world
In different places Doesn't matter What your name is
We've got to have lots of changes
We need more brothers If we're to make it
We need more sisters If we're to save it
Are you the one who's gonna stand up and be counted?
Are you the one who's gonna be there when we shout it?
Are you the one who's always ready with a helping hand?
Are you the one who understands this family plan?
Blackfella WhitefellaYellowfella Any fella
Doesn't matter What your colour As long as you A true fella
All the people of different races Around the world in different places
Doesn't matter Which religion
It's all the same when the ship is sinking
We need more brothers If we're to make it
We need more sisters If we're to change it
Are youthe one who's gonna stand up and be counted?
Are you the one who's gonna be there when we shout it?
Are you the one who's always there with a helping hand?
Are you the one who understands this family plan?
Stand up Stand up and be counted.....
Are you the one who's always there with a helping hand?
Are you the one who understands this family plan?.....
Are you the one who's always there with a helping hand?

"The Dead Heart"
We don't serve your country
don't serve your king
Know your custom don't speak your tongue
White man came took everyone

We don't serve your country
Don't serve your king
White man listen to the songs we sing
White man came took everything

We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken

We don't serve your country
We don't serve your king
Know your custom don't speak your tongue
White man came took everyone

We don't need protection
don't need your hand
Keep your promise on where we stand
We will listen we'll understand

We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken
We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken

Mining companies, pastoral companies
Uranium companies
Collected companies
Got more right than people
Got more say than people

Forty thousand years can make a difference to the state of things
The dead heart lives here

This is the live song where punters attempted to be first to decipher Jim Moginie's re-arranged guitar lead in and begin chanting "duh-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do" in time as the real tune emerged on those hot sweaty nights where at least some percentage of the gathered crowd were aware of the lyrical content and the determined wish for change!!