Lunch Time Chat at St James Ethics Centre

Wednesday April 12th 2000

More on  'Reconciliation' and all that might mean to us this month.

This discussion lingered more specifically on reconciliation with Aboriginal people and the issue of our government's resistance to saying "Sorry."

Some more questions were posed for us.

• What is it that we really want?
• Do we want to reconcile at all? 
• Who wants it?  And why?  
• Was this started by Aboriginal people?  Is there a connection with a desire for a treaty?
• If we did say "sorry" -  what then?  Is it enough to say 'sorry' or do we need to do something concrete.  Put our money where our mouth is, so to speak.
• What exactly is it that we want to do?

There was a distinct impression amongst us that the government did not see their role as intervening into human issues but were rather more focussed on governance and in particular economic governance.

From our perspective, saying sorry is essential to help not only aboriginal people but us too to deal with the matter of grieving.  It is imperative that their stories be heard and that they really GET that we have empathy and regret for what has gone on before.  The issue of us not being personally responsible for the behaviour or policies of our forefathers did not arise.

Noted that the advent of the media has spread and popularised the scene of Reconciliation.  The differences have long been there but modern media has helped us reach an understanding and awareness of  that and helped us to create the language of conversations.

There was a little said on the politics of this issue and noted by a number how they felt let down by the Prime Minister especially by his separation of the spiritual and the material aspects of our lives.

Points of view that we would want the community to share with us are:

• People would serve themselves and the process if they took the trouble to read the stories and develop some understanding about Aboriginals, their deteriorated condition and their lost control and frustration about  their situation.
• We don't have to LIKE people before we set about reconciling.   It is about RESPECT.
• Profound injustices have been done - to the people - to sacred sites.   It is important that we recognise the spiritual dimension that we have trampled on.
• Do develop empathy by putting yourself into their perspective.
• Don't turn away from the plight of Aboriginal people.  Remember that if one of us loses then we ALL lose.

The next conversation at the St James Ethics Centre will be in on
Wednesday May 10th 2000