Speaking with one voice, we the people of Australia, of many
origins as we are, make a commitment to go on together recognising
the gift of one another's presence.
We value the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the original owners and custodians of traditional
lands and waters.
We respect and recognise continuing customary laws, beliefs
and traditions. And through the land and its first peoples,
we may taste this spirituality and rejoice in its grandeur.
|
We acknowledge this land was colonised without the consent
of the original inhabitants.
Our nation
must have the courage to own the truth, to heal the wounds
of its past so that we can move on together at peace with
ourselves.
And so
we take this step: as one part of the nation expresses its
sorrow and profoundly regrets the injustices of the past,
so the other part accepts the apology and forgives.
|
