A week ago Australia celebrated reconciliation week, which is designed to bring Australia's immigrant population together with Aboriginal communities that have been in our country for maybe 50,000 years. It seeks to better understand and celebrate Aboriginal culture and acknowledge the harm done to Aboriginal peoples stemming from British occupation of this continent commencing in 1788.
Armidale held its now annual reconciliation march, called the 'bridge walk' in which I participated this time around. I took lots of photos of the event many of which are displayed here, starting the Aboriginal flag 'flying' from the city's main bridge. The walk commenced at this bridge but only after numerous speeches presented by important locals.
Here we are assembling - and I found I knew quite a few of the participants, including our mayor, member of state parliament, university vice-chancellor and so on.
Prominent local Aboriginal and member of the Armidale Regional Council, Steve Widders, delivered the main speech remembering the impact of European settlement on Aboriginal peoples, both regionally and locally. These impacts were, in some places, disastrous ... with large loss of life and dispossession of important territory. Steve is speaking into the microphone below.
Some local leaders:
Children unfolding Aboriginal flage to use in the procession, accompanied by someone playing a didgeridoo.
Kids ready to lead the procession to the bridge and the crowd assembling to follow.
Our walk took us maybe 400 m or so in a loop around the creeklands, after which it was time for additional community leaders to present more speeches outlining the significance and purpose of the day.
The formalities concluded with a ceremonial dance conducted by three young Aboriginal girls to great applause.
It was a moving ceremony and one of great significance for the numerous participants.
AS
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