Tracey Burchall

I know that the impact was devastating and that the various waves of colonisers and then associated policies created an impact that is frlt and continues today. Generational trauma is rife.

It was significantly lacking and still is. We do not embrace and take pride in a shared culture and heritage as Australians nor appreciate how fortunate the majority are because we share our home with First Nations communities. We do not value nor show reverence and respect that would elevate us all as Australians.

I would like us to accept that unless we are from a First Nations cultural group, we cannot know the impact of a dominant and pervasive society. We need to embrace First Nations peoples and culture not in a tokenistic way but is a deeply reverential way and take pride in where Australians and Australia began.

We can be willing active listeners. We can accept truth telling without pushing back because it may make us feel sad or emotional. Denial cheats us of maturation as a nation and society. We can invite and share conversations about all that we do not and cannot know without burdening First Nations peoples.

We can be willing active listeners. We can accept truth telling without pushing back because it may make us feel sad or emotional. Denial cheats us of maturation as a nation and society. We can invite and share conversations about all that we do not and cannot know without burdening First Nations peoples.