Yatra and I went to the One Day event held this morning at Bathers Beach. It is the alternative to Australia Day which many now call Invasion Day, held on the 26th. Note the ball and chain around the Elder’s ankle and the heavy chain around his neck. It brought tears to my eyes. He did it in memory of his ancestors who were incarcerated on Rottnest Island. He then removed them and threw sand into the sea and cried out towards the island. There was a cleansing, smoking ceremony and a very powerful dance performance. The tribal elder shook hands and thanked every person who walked through the smoke...and said how different the world would be if that had been allowed to happen when white man first came to these shores...
@anniesue didn’t understand this comment til I realised you’d seen my IG post...now it makes sense! And I’m guessing the photo makes a bit more sense to you now too 🙂
