“There had never been anything like the Queen Street Mall fashion parade before and to be there compèring the three parades during NAIDOC Week made a huge impact on our community and it helped our young ones to dream big,” says Anglican Church Southern Queensland RAP Coordinator Aunty Sandra King OAM
ACSQ Reconciliation Action Plan Coordinator Aunty Sandra King OAM shares some of her Reconciliation story and about this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme song
“Last week the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to General Synod — gathered for their annual meeting in Newcastle…During the meeting, the overwhelming majority of NATSIAC report presenters expressed their sadness and dismay at the referendum result. There was also a sense that the referendum result exposed a deeper darkness in this land…There was a lingering feeling of deep sadness, as well as bewilderment, dismay and a fear for the future, especially for the future of our children,” say The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase, Aunty Dr Rose Elu and Aunty Sandra King OAM
Hear some of what Reconciliation Action Plan launch speakers shared, including Wangan Jagalingou Elder The Rev’d Aunty Alex Gater, Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Professor Boni Robertson and Quandamooka Bundjalung Elder Aunty Sandra King
“While starting to think about writing this article, the most wonderful thing happened. I was packing up my paperwork, as I am moving house, and to my surprise, I found a letter from the Secretary of the Queensland NAIDOC Week committee asking me to be a judge for the 1976 Miss NAIDOC competition,” says Quandamooka and Bundjalung Elder Aunty Sandra King OAM, while also telling us about continuing NAIDOC Week events planned for early September
“When I’m on the ferry or barge heading for Tjerrangerri, I can’t help but have tears streaming down my face. She’s a beautiful Country. Following my family’s forcible physical separation from her, I am still reconnecting with her and all the beauty she possesses,” says Sandra King OAM
“I am often asked to yarn with young school students – facilitating yarning is an important role of a First Nations educator…Everything I know is from yarning, listening and learning from my family and Elders,” says Aunty Sandra King OAM
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