Wodonga TAFE has recognised a series of significant days for First Nations Australians with a string of activities to celebrate and reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
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Wodonga TAFE Koori liaison officer and Larrakia woman Katrice May said the campus acknowledged National Sorry Day on Wednesday.
"It's about recognising the stolen generation, our elders and ancestors that have been taken away from their homelands and put into either a home or a resettlement area," she said.
Ms May said it was important to acknowledge the pain and trauma of First Nations ancestors before moving forward and launching National Reconciliation Week today.
"Reconciliation Week to me is bringing everyone together, teaching them about our culture, learning about their culture and being united as one," she said.
Ms May said campus wide recognition of these significant dates made a huge difference to First Nations students.
"Being a student here a couple of years ago there was none of this, I didn't even feel like I was acknowledged or respected," she said.
"I didn't feel like it was a safe place to start off with, but by educating the staff with our reconciliation action plan and by being 'koorified'...it's made an impact.
"It's made it feel like we're accepted, we're part of TAFE, we're part of society and it is Australian culture."
- Katrice May
"It's made it feel like we're accepted, we're part of TAFE, we're part of society and it is Australian culture."
Ms May played a driving role in encouraging Wodonga TAFE to begin recognising Reconciliation Week last year, but she said the change had been well supported by the TAFE's leadership.
"It's been a massive improvement from the top, so from our CEO, from the directors down," she said.
"As well as launching our reconciliation action plan last year...they're educating the teachers and the students as well.
"To be able to have our exec team and the board behind us, I'm so grateful, I'm a little bit overwhelmed.
"I'm excited to bring this to Wodonga TAFE and I hope it's ongoing."
IN OTHER NEWS:
One of the events running over National Reconciliation Week is the exhibition of Aunty Glennys Briggs's art at Wodonga TAFE's Eddie Kneebone gallery.
Ms Briggs is a Taungurung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who is moving to Wodonga for her position as the curator of the Burraja Art Gallery in Albury.
She said her TAFE exhibition conveyed themes of knowledge, awareness and understanding.
"When you talk about reconciliation these are the things that need to be addressed," she said.
"There's a lack of understanding how the trauma of past generations is passed through from one generation through to another.
"Whether it be through an imprinted memory or it's by stories told by one generation to another, the trauma is still there.
"When you have trauma and it's not brought out into the open, if the wound isn't treated, it will just fester.
- Glennys Briggs
"When you have trauma and it's not brought out into the open, if the wound isn't treated, it will just fester.
"To treat a wound like this you need understanding and awareness to come together to talk about it as one."
Ms Briggs said many people didn't have a great knowledge of First Nations history, but she wanted those people to view her work and be prompted to ask questions and learn.
"They only know what they've been taught in schools and what they hear in the media," she said.
"Ask the questions, that's all that I want.
"I don't want to be confronting with my art work, I want the viewer to step closer and ask the questions."
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