Indigenous Elders, young people, community members and local services will gather at the Sorry Rock in Wagga Wagga this month to mark National Sorry Day.
The ceremony will be held at 10am on Tuesday 26 May at the Sorry Rock, Wollundry Lagoon, near the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre on Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Country.
Council's First Nations Community Development Officer Teneille McDonald encouraged the wider community to reflect on the significance of the national date.
National Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report being tabled in Federal Parliament.
The report followed a national inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
Ms McDonald reflected on the history of the day.
"It's been 29 years since the first National Sorry Day was held, marking the anniversary of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report being tabled in Federal Parliament, which was a national inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families," she said.
"The commemorative ceremony will take place at 10am on Tuesday 26 May at the Sorry Rock, Wollundry Lagoon, near the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre (off Burns Way) on Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Country."
The Sorry Day Rock was unveiled in 2018 to honour the Stolen Generations, including children sent to institutions such as the Cootamundra Girls Home and Kinchela Boys Home. The children were trained in domestic and farm labour and endured harsh conditions.
This year's event will again include children and young people from local schools, who will present poems, songs and cultural dances.
Ms McDonald said the program had been guided by local Elders.
"As guided by local Elders, this year's event will again feature our young people, with children and youth from our local schools presenting poems, songs, and sharing cultural dances," she said.
Light refreshments will be served after the official proceedings and no bookings are required.
National Sorry Day will be followed by National Reconciliation Week, which runs from Wednesday 27 May to Wednesday 3 June.
Ms McDonald said the week was an opportunity to reflect on history and reconciliation.
"It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to reconciliation," she said.
Council will host two Reconciliation Film Club evenings as part of the program.
The Historic Council Chambers, Coat of Arms in the Civic Centre Forecourt and trees in Fitzmaurice Street will be illuminated in purple throughout National Reconciliation Week.
