Yingadi Aboriginal Corporation

Indigenous Corporation Number 7675

Proud Race

PROUD RACE is an exciting new initiative which enables schools to record and celebrate the stories of Indigenous Australians on life-size bollards which will be exhibited in venues throughout Australia.

 

The NationalPROUD RACEcampaign is initiated and supported by the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for Victoria and sponsored by Reconciliation Victoria and Reconciliation Australia.

 

APROUD RACE empowers communities to participate in keeping alive the spirit of the “I Feel Proud Today” campaign, held in February this year, to commemorate the National Apology delivered by former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd in February 2008. 

“I encourage all schools to participate in this Project to ensure that the Apology and all that it requires of us becomes and remains an integral part of our shared story.   It is vital that this significant date is central to our children’s understanding of our history and the story of our Country’s First Peoples,” said Ms Vicki Clark, Coordinator of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria.

We remember that on the 13th of February 2008 the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, said “Sorry” for the wrongs that have been inflicted on a proud race of people and a proud culture. 

“… today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.”

(The Honorable Kevin Rudd, 13 February 2008)

 February 2012 over 4,000 joined together across Australia to celebrated “I Feel Proud Today” as a way of commemorating that moment. 

A PROUD RACE is a continuation of this commemoration and offers a way to actively participate in keeping alive the Spirit of that moment.    

“A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.”

(The Honorable Kevin Rudd, 13 February 2008)

Catholic primary and secondary schools all around Australia are invited to participate in this unique and exciting new project that presents stories of a PROUD RACE, recorded on and portrayed by people-sized portable Bollards. 

We anticipate that over 1,000 bollards will be placed in venues right around Australia each one telling a story of a member of PROUD RACE

*It is anticipated that these bollards will be added to each year commemorating the Apology Day.

Please visit http://www.proudrace.org.au for more information on the Proud Race programme.