CEWA lights up in purple and Field of Remembrance created to honour Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
25 May 2022
Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) offices, through the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party (RAP) have organised events in conjunction with National Reconciliation Week (NRW) (27 May to 3 June), nationally themed ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how everyone can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
CEWA RAP member Tanya Davies said the theme this year, encourages all Australians to make change beginning with brave actions in your daily lives regardless of “where you live, work, play and socialise.”
“On Thursday, 2 June, each CEWA Office will create their own Field of Remembrance – a garden area where we can reflect on past injustices, plant for today by truth telling of our nation’s past and water for tomorrow as we continue to grow on our reconciliation journey,” Ms Davies said.
“As stated in this year’s Social Justice Statement 2021-2022: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, the First Nations people remind us of the interconnectedness of people and the rest of creation:
“The First Nations people and the environment are but one, and all things on earth have a cycle, and they recycle. All rivers, trees, creatures, and plants are alive just as we are, today and in the beginning.
“Staff are encouraged, whenever they are free during this time, to work together in creating this reflection area.”
CEWA Staff will attend a virtual breakfast hosted by Reconciliation Western Australia, joined by one million people from around the state. The NRW Virtual Breakfast will feature a Welcome to Country from Elders across the state, cultural entertainment, a keynote presentation from Stan Grant, and a panel discussion with guests from across the regions.
Ms Davies encouraged schools to participate in the virtual breakfast and other events planned by signing up at https://www.recwa.org.au/nrw-2022-events/
A CEWA Reconciliation Week street banner will be displayed in Murray Street, Perth and in Albany Highway, Victoria Park for the week. The artwork on the banner is by emerging artist Noelene Waddaman. Ms Waddaman is a Nyangumarta woman who lives and works in Kariyarra Country, South Hedland. The painting on the 2022 Reconciliation Street Banners depicts Ms Waddaman’s mother’s country which holds a place of significance for her both culturally and in her childhood memories.
The CEWA RAP Working Party are acknowledging Sorry Day (26 May) this year with a prayer and reflection session. The CEWA Leederville building will be lighting up in purple on 26 May to mark the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Parliament in 1997.
What are you doing in your offices and schools to acknowledge Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day this year? Share your stories with us at stories@cewa.edu.au !
