The Olympic opening ceremony with its featuring of aborigine culture plus aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman lighting the cauldron won praise today from a top aboriginal activist. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) chairman Geoff Clark said it was ''a celebration of our survival'' which many aborigines would view as a reconciliation milestone.
''The recognition of our culture in the creation scenes, the smoking ceremony, acknowledgement of our flag and symbols demonstrated true and proper respect for our people,'' Clark said in a statement issued in Canberra. ''It was a celebration of our survival. A milestone on the road to true reconciliation from which there should be no turning back.''
In a swipe at the federal government, he added: ''If the Olympic movement can get it right, why can't the Australian government?” ''I'd like to see our domestic political leaders take advantage of the spirit of the games - the unity of men and women of all origins and creeds - and demonstrate some Olympic vision on the issue of the recognition of our rights.''
Bureau Report