Each year on 26 May, National Sorry Day invites reflection and remembrance of the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by colonists. We acknowledge the resilience and strength of Australia's Indigenous peoples, understand the significance of this day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process.
“Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our national history.” - Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
History
Between the 1910s and 1970s*, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families in order to be ’assimilated‘ into white Australian culture. These children are known as the ’Stolen Generations‘. Families across Australia suffered great loss, tremendous grief and much distress at the hands of white Australians, and so National Sorry Day ensures that such history is never forgotten, and we continue to acknowledge the hardships faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
In 1997, the Australian Government published the Bringing Them Home report to understand the effects of the policies and laws that tore families a part and how we as a nation can improve and establish more adequate laws to provide support. The report recommended that the Australian Government provide an unreserved apology and use a portion of the national budget towards reparations.
In 1999, the Prime Minister at the time, John Howard, put forth a ’Motion of Reconciliation‘ that expressed regret and sympathy, but did not take responsibility for the actions of the government’s predecessors.
The formal apology did come in 2008 by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and it was his Parliament that moved us towards ’Closing the Gap‘, focusing on the health and equality of Indigenous peoples of all generations.
“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants, and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
“To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
“And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
“We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
“A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
“A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.” - Former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
*Policies of forced removals were in place from 1910 to 1969, but there are many stories of forced removals prior to and after these dates.
Timeline of National Sorry Day
1905: Forced Assimilation
The 1905 Act was passed through government under the control of a Chief Protector and was designed to “better protection and care of the Aboriginal inhabitants of Western Australia”. The reality was that the Act allowed control and segregation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and invaded every aspect of their lives. This Act legalised the forced separation of children from their families.
“The Act assumed that Aboriginal people were a ‘dying race’ in its objective of forced assimilation of future generations.” - www.noongarculture.org.au
“The segregation reinforced by the Act and the existing attitudes based on race, established an apartheid regime where Aboriginal people in Western Australia were discriminated against in all sorts of ways. Civil rights were denied by the Act. For example: Noongar people who had lost control of their property under the 1905 Act lost their eligibility to vote at State Elections.” - www.noongarculture.org.au
1997: “Read it and Weep”
The inaugural Bringing Them Home report is tabled in the Australian Parliament. (Note: ‘Tabled’ in British-style parliamentary procedure means ‘brought to attention’, not to be confused with the American meaning of ‘shelved until further notice’).
1998: Admitting our Wrongs
The first National Sorry Day is observed to commemorate the mistreatment of Australia’s native tribes and people.
2000: “Can the Bridge Hold this Many of Us?”
A multi thousand participant walk across the Sydney Harbor Bridge is organised and executed to bring attention to the reconciliation movement.
2008: A Step Towards Healing
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offers a formal apology to the Stolen Generations.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/national-sorry-day/
Closing the Gap
Following the national apology in 2008, Kevin Rudd’s parliament introduced targets to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous outcomes to ensure equality for all Australians. Below are examples of two targets and their trajectory.
Close the Gap in life expectancy within a generation, by 2031.
Between 2005–2007 and 2015–2017, the gap in life expectancy narrowed for males (from 11.4 years to 8.6 years) and for females (from 9.6 years to 7.8 years).
Nationally, based on progress from the baseline, the target shows improvement but is not on track to be met for males or females.
By 2025, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in Year Before Full time Schooling (YBFS) early childhood education to 95 per cent.
Nationally in 2020, 93.1 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Year Before Full time Schooling (YBFS) age cohort were enrolled in a preschool program.
This is an increase from 76.7 per cent in 2016 (the baseline year).
Nationally, based on progress from the baseline, the target shows progressive improvement and is on track to be met.
To read about the targets visit Closing the Gap and for their trajectory make sure to visit the Productivity Commission Dashboard.
Resources
There are many ways you can educate yourself and provide support and allyship:
