Indigenous Tourism
Is it just me or does everyone think it’s really important to say you’re sorry?
It’s National Reconciliation Week.
On Saturday I went along to a function at Caloundra Courthouse to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Sorry Day, I wish that the whole of the Sunshine Coast was there.
It was a really positive event. I think a lot of non indigenous Australians are nervous about National Sorry Day, nervous that aborigines blame every white man and woman for sins of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. Speaker after speaker stood up and said the opposite.
National Sorry Day is not about making anyone feel guilty, it’s about acknowledging the past – admitting that mistakes were made and everyone moving on together.
I honestly can’t imagine why John Howard refuses to say sorry, but then again, it’s gone on so long now, any apology would be meaningless.
Saturday was a truly beautiful day…
After the event I was talking to Darren Manns from Walpara (an Aboriginal youth organisation based at Caloundra) – he talked about something I’d love to see.
According to Darren there are around two and a half thousand young aboriginals on the Sunshine Coast and employment is a problem…
At the same time, almost one hundred percent of visitors to Australia say their number one priority coming to this country is to enjoy and indigenous experience…and we’ve got nothing to offer them.
Wouldn’t it be great if our big resorts got together – maybe with tourism Sunshine Coast - and spent some money on a heritage centre or some sort of Indigenous tourism facility?
It’s National Reconciliation Week.
On Saturday I went along to a function at Caloundra Courthouse to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Sorry Day, I wish that the whole of the Sunshine Coast was there.
It was a really positive event. I think a lot of non indigenous Australians are nervous about National Sorry Day, nervous that aborigines blame every white man and woman for sins of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. Speaker after speaker stood up and said the opposite.
National Sorry Day is not about making anyone feel guilty, it’s about acknowledging the past – admitting that mistakes were made and everyone moving on together.
I honestly can’t imagine why John Howard refuses to say sorry, but then again, it’s gone on so long now, any apology would be meaningless.
Saturday was a truly beautiful day…
After the event I was talking to Darren Manns from Walpara (an Aboriginal youth organisation based at Caloundra) – he talked about something I’d love to see.
According to Darren there are around two and a half thousand young aboriginals on the Sunshine Coast and employment is a problem…
At the same time, almost one hundred percent of visitors to Australia say their number one priority coming to this country is to enjoy and indigenous experience…and we’ve got nothing to offer them.
Wouldn’t it be great if our big resorts got together – maybe with tourism Sunshine Coast - and spent some money on a heritage centre or some sort of Indigenous tourism facility?
1 Comments:
From a former foster child (and freelance online journalist),
Thanks for sharing. I agree with you entirely.
Please consider sharing your insights on Imaginif, an Australian child protection site, sometime: http://www.imaginif.com.au/
Lisa
http://sunshinegirlonarainyday.blogspot.com/
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