UNITY was the theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week with Pangula Mannamurna opening its doors to the community on Wednesday to bring Indigenous and non-indigenous people together.
“The aim of Reconciliation Week is to provide an opportunity for open dialogue in partnerships as some people still find reconciliation very difficult due to past trauma,” Pangula chief executive Andrew Birtwistle-Smith said.
Mr Birtwistle-Smith said it was important to recognise the truth behind the nation’s history and learn how to overcome barriers which exist.
“The past is not nice and we need to speak about it and acknowledge what happened,” he said.
“A lot of trauma that still surrounds that – whole communities were affected.”
Mr Birtwistle-Smith encouraged all communities to “walk together with courage” this year and acknowledging the nation’s history.
“Once the truth is known it is then about the community walking together to help everyone begin the healing process,” Mr Birtwistle-Smith said.
“We are then asking everyone to walk together with courage and look internally as to whether they have been a part of the reconciliation process and bringing the truth out if they are not.”
The community event attracted numerous community members, with Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin and elder Aunty Val Brennan among the dignitaries.
“It was wonderful to celebrate Reconciliation Week at Pangula and have a chance to acknowledge the rich culture and heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Mayor Martin said.
“Reconciliation week provides an opportunity for our community to learn more about not only the history of these peoples but also their achievements and how we may work together in the future.”
