First Nations Telegraph

The 13 February marks the of the National Apology when on 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd publicly apologised, on behalf of the Federal Government anniversary, to the Stolen Generations – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities by successive colonial and Australian governments.

 

Each year Reconciliation SA commemorates this and will be releasing a special film including documentary of three First Nations people’s experiences. Hear from Stolen Generation Survivor Aunty Mandy Brown (Ngarrindjeri/Peramangk), Descendant Josh Trevorrow (Ngarrindjeri), and Community Leader Uncle Mark Koolmatrie (Ngarrindjeri) in a powerful testimony of the ongoing impact these government policies have had and continue to have on stolen generations today.

 

The documentary will be released on YouTube at 8am on February 13th and will be shared across our social media and on our website encouraging businesses and households to take the time to listen, reflect and become more aware of our colonial past and wrongdoings.

 

Filmed in the picturesque country of the Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk Nations, viewers get a special insight into the impacts and trauma but also hope for a brighter future, with the aim to hear the testimonies of survivors and descendants from around the state each year. Kool Tours owner Mark Koolmatrie, who won the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards award calls for “oneness” in a moving story of his ancestry and hope for his children.

 

Reconciliation SA Interim CEO Belinda Hallsworth said “We look forward to this important film being shared far and wide across metropolitan, regional and remote areas and we would like to thank the Department for Child Protection as principal sponsor of the project, as well as the team at Cabana Productions for their hard work in bringing this film together. We would also like to thank Mandy Brown, Mark Koolmatrie and Josh Trevorrow for sharing their stories and insights.”

 

Reconciliation SA newly appointed First Nation co-chair, Jeremy Johncock said “reconciliation involves relationships, and like any meaningful relationship, you put in the time and effort. This film provides an opportunity to do precisely that. Take the time to listen, learn and try understanding the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

 

Reconciliation SA will also be supporting other community organisations with the return of the National Apology Day Community march and event at Veale Gardens on the same day from 10am until 2pm.

 

For the premiere, a link to view the film will be emailed out across all of our mailing lists and be freely available online through our social media and YouTube pages.