Members of Redland City’s indigenous community gathered in Cleveland to mark National Sorry Day last week.
The celebrations coincided with the legislation to end mining on Stradbroke Island in 2019.
Redland mayor Karen Williams, deputy mayor Wendy Boglary, Cr Lance Hewlett and Cr Tracey Huges, attended.
Elders, young people and community members came together to commemorate the day.
They listened about the atrocities that happened in Australia with regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Stolen Generations.
Cooee Senior Elder Aunty Anne Leisha, Director Prof Boni Robertson and Cultural Program Coordinator Margie Kennedy spoke of the significance of the day.
Alexandra State High School Aboriginal dancers performed and Aunty Edna Billy sang a Torres Strait Islander song which was followed by didgeridoo playing by Matthew Chilly.
The event included a commemorative candle lighting service and smoking ceremony to acknowledge and pay respects to the Stolen Generations.
It concluded with painted hand prints to show respect to those families that were affected by the past policies.
The crowd stayed for a sausage sizzle.
It was a time for remembering Australia’s rocky history but also a time for healing, said Cooee Indigenous Elders Community and Family Education Centre’s program coordinator Margie Kennedy.
Ms Kennedy, whose family suffered under the cruelty of the Stolen Generations, welcomed everyone from Redlands to the event at the Cooee Centre.
The Cleveland event was organised by the Family Education and Resource Centre and UNAA Indigenous Youth Advisory Counsel for Queensland.
The day commemorated the 1997 Human Rights and Equality Opportunity Commission Bringing Them Home report that recognised the Stolen Generations of indigenous children and young people taken from their families and communities.
The focus of Sorry Day was as a national day of healing for all Australians.
