Reconciliation: Messages from the elders

6 Jul 2012, 12:00 am   -   Source: Chiara Pazzano, SBS
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SPECIAL REPORT: Indigenous elders from different corners of Australia answer the question: How do we start building bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people?

By Chiara Pazzano

Elders from across Australia agree reconciliation is already happening at a community level, and urge Australians to feel empowered in the belief that they can make a difference.

Darug elder Greg Simms from western Sydney says people from all around the world come together when he holds 'circles' to teach his traditions and culture. 

"We need to start from the community. Community is the first priority. One of the main things my elders taught me is to always show respect, always acknowledge, never be greedy and always share," Uncle Greg said.

"All the stories they gave us to take to the next generations, they said, 'these stories don't belong to you, they below all Australians'. And to go out and share these stories with non- Indigenous people is a remarkable milestone. 

"We are all Australians and we don't exclude anyone from the circle," he said.

"We want people to come to the circle, share the remarkable stories, no matter what part of the world they come from. Because the only way we can move forward is sharing our stories and values.

"There's only one race and that is the human race and where we live today is one community, many cultures...That is the only way to do things".

Uncle Simms will be involved in a special NAIDOC event at Rouse Hill House & Farm on July 7.

NAIDOC Week

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