"WE STRONG TOGETHER, WE DANCE TOGETHER, WE SING TOGETHER"

Credit: Trevor Wally

The ceremony held on November 9 marked a significant moment in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation for the Wadjemup and Wirin Bidi truth-telling. While the event itself was emotional, it is important to recognise that the journey is far from over. For the people involved, this ceremony was less about closure and more about taking an essential step in a long process that is still unfolding.

Premier Roger Cook’s apology on behalf of the people of Western Australia was deeply moving and sincere. His words resonated strongly with those present, acknowledging the pain caused by the forced removal and incarceration of Indigenous people at Wadjemup and Wirin Bidi (Rottnest Island). Delivered directly on the ground, not from a distant stage, Premier Cook's emotional connection highlighted his genuine empathy, marking a significant step toward healing and reconciliation.

“The audience felt the apology, and it was quite moving,” said Elder Trevor Wally.

Elder Trevor Wally, a prominent figure in the reconciliation process, has been deeply involved in the ongoing efforts for healing. He emphasised that while significant steps have been taken, the journey toward full reconciliation and healing within Aboriginal culture is still unfolding. The process must be respectful and gradual, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural connection that Indigenous people have with the land, their ancestors, and the past.

“In our culture, we are able to connect with people through songs and stories and songlines; I guess you remove someone, but you haven’t removed them because we can still sing their songs, and they can hear our songs even though they were incarcerated at the Rottnest Island Jail,” said Wally.

Credit: Trevor Wally

In the words of the elders and the people who spoke on the 9th of November, the ceremony was not an end—it was a beginning. The apology from the Premier was a powerful moment, but the work of healing is far from finished. For the community, the important thing is not that the past is acknowledged, but that it is respected, and that future generations are able to move forward in a way that honours both the pain of the past and the strength of the present.

Credit: Trevor Wally

As the people of Wadjemup and Wirin Bidi continue their journey, they are teaching us all a profound lesson about resilience, the importance of culture, and the need for ongoing healing. Through this process, we are all invited to reflect on the importance of reconciliation—not just as a concept but as a lived reality that must be built, step by step, over time.

The journey is long, but as the ceremony on November 9th showed, the community is walking together with strength, hope, and determination for the future.

“It didn’t conclude on Saturday. It’s the start of our healing journey.”