Recognise Australia’s past wrongs on National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day recognises the negative impact of Australian policies, practices and attitudes on Indigenous people. This Miniclip is a teaching resource to identify and discuss the historical origins of an important Australian commemoration and examine the symbolism of flags.

Australian Celebrations and Commemorations: National Sorry Day

One of Australia’s biggest failures in history is rooted in the significant mistreatment of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. This Miniclip uses European settlement and the Stolen Generation to highlight this issue, and discusses the purpose of National Sorry Day. This clip also provides an overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

The Year 3 curriculum focuses on the diversity of people and places in their local community and beyond, and how people participate in their communities. This Miniclip and the complementary primary teaching resource pack teaches students about:

• Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia and the importance of symbols and emblems (ACHASSK064)
• Identifying and discussing the historical origins of an important Australian celebration or commemoration
• Examining the symbolism of flags (for example, the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags) and recognising special occasions when they are flown (for example, all three flags are flown during NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day and Mabo Day) and the roles, rights and responsibilities the community has when observing protocols around flag flying