Reconciliation South Australia – First Anniversary of the Apology – Adelaide Friday 13 February 2009

On Friday, 13 February, 2009, approximately 300 leaders in State and Local Government, business, and the education and community sectors met, in Adelaide, to mark the 1st anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

The Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Professor Peter Buckskin, Co-Chair of Reconciliation SA and leading Aboriginal educator and social commentator Lillian Holt, reflected on the meaning of the Apology, and how to explore practical strategies for the South Australian community to progress the Reconciliation agenda.

Lillian Holt, who now works part-time for Relationships Australia (SA), after three and a half decades of full-time work in Aboriginal education, was asked by Reconciliation South Australia, the host organisation, to speak on the topic of Practical Reconciliation.

However, as she points out in her speech, if so-called practical reconciliation is to be more than another platitude, then it must begin with ourselves; and come from within ourselves. Hence, a process of “Physician, Heal Thyself”.

In her speech, using what she terms a “Gandhian” approach, she called on the audience to have the courage to be “the change you want to see” and “let it begin with me”. (Mahatma Gandhi’s words which he used in the struggle for independence against the British in India, 60 years ago).

As she noted in her paper, by being “the change we want to see” there is no need for experts, leaders, committees nor bureaucracies as it is a qualitative approach involving self, as opposed to a quantitative one, researching “the other” (outside of ourselves) which it has mostly been, to date.

“She touched on history, humanity, humour and hope as all part of the process of “Physician, Heal Thyself” which Gandhi’s words call for.

To view her speech in full, please click here.