This year will be the 13th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. As the anniversary – 13 February – falls on a Saturday, we will hold the anniversary event on Friday 12 February 2021.

ACTCOSS, the Gulanga Program team and the Dhunlung Yarra Service team from Relationships Australia Canberra and Region would like to invite you to come and reflect together on the resilience and survival of our First Nations people in Australia. This year we will focus on the theme of Resilience, survival and being Aboriginal at heart.

Through listening to the story of one woman’s journey, we will hear about the experience of Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia, whose identities are judged and undermined by others who say, “but you don’t look Aboriginal”. We will learn that being Aboriginal is not about the colour of a person’s skin, but rather the colour of their heart and where their heart belongs.

Her story is similar in some ways but also different from many others who were removed from family as part of the Stolen Generations. The journey this woman took was lonely and hard, and left her struggling to find herself in the turmoil of trying to live in two worlds. We will walk with her as she shares how she listened to her heart about belonging to the Aboriginal people and how she learned to accept this for herself.

Volunteers will perform through storytelling and dance to allow you to share in the strength and resilience of Australia’s First Peoples. We remember that this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

When: Friday 12 February 2020, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Where: Charlesworth Theatrette, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Campus (Building 14), Bruce ACT 2617.

Please visit this page for information on how to get to the venue (Building 14). On this page, you can also find public transport instructions and a map of AIS (pdf).

People who need to be dropped off closer to the venue can use the bays at B4 and G6 of the map.

Parking: Accessible and free parking is available in the main visitor car park across from the Visitor Centre (Building 25) at H8-K8 of the map.

Cost: Free

RSVP: Due to COVID restrictions, you must register in advance so we know you are coming, so please RSVP through Eventbrite: https://apologyanniversary2021.eventbrite.com.au

We will offer a light snack pack for you to take away after the event so please let us know your dietary requirements when you register.

Please note photos and videos at this event may be retained and used for our publications, social media or on the ACTCOSS website. Please let ACTCOSS know if you do NOT want your photo/video captured or published. You can read more about ACTCOSS' privacy policy online: https://www.actcoss.org.au/privacy