More than a word: National Reconciliation Week 2021

Today, on National Sorry Day, The Sax Institute joins Australians around the country in acknowledging the Stolen Generations and recognising the impact this traumatic past has had on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As Darryl Wright, CEO of Sydney-based Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation says: “the only way to solve these problems and close the gap is to work together as a team. It’s so important to not only educate our kids, but to educate all of Australia about reconciliation.”

The Sax Institute is proud to be working in partnership with Tharawal and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on the SEARCH program, Australia’s largest ongoing health study of urban Aboriginal children. Sandra Bailey, Senior Adviser, Aboriginal Health at the Sax Institute says these strong partnerships with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services remain at the heart of what we do.

“We have a longstanding and steadfast commitment to improving Aboriginal health through Aboriginal community-led research,” she says. “National Reconciliation Week is an important time to reflect on these relationships and look towards a future where all Australians have the means and opportunities to live longer and healthier lives.”

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, and the Sax Institute recognises the journey we all need to make towards a more equitable and reconciled nation. In this special video message, Darryl Wright, a Dhanggati man from northern NSW, reflects on reconciliation and how working together to improve Aboriginal health and wellbeing is more important than ever.

The Sax Institute acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the first peoples and traditional owners of this land. We pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders, past, present and emerging.

Find out more:

National Reconciliation Week 2021

The Sax Institute’s SEARCH study

Reconciliation Australia asks that we all take the time to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land that we are on, wherever we are.