18 May 2004
NATIONAL SORRY DAY
The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998 - one year after the tabling of the report "Bringing them Home" which was the result of an inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. One of the recommendations of the report was that a National Sorry Day should be declared. The Day offers the community the opportunity to participate and be involved in activities to acknowledge the impact of the policies of forcible removal on Australia's indigenous populations.
As former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, said recently: "The removal of Aboriginal children from their families was one of the most painful acts in Australia's history." He went on to add "We need a much greater national determination to address past wrongs and, symbolically, the most important element may be to address past wrongs in relation to the stolen generation.....a full apology is very significant.... an apology does not imply guilt. It implies a recognition that an injustice occurred. It implies we have a will and a determination to try to do something about the many people who have suffered as a result of that injustice".
For more information about Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, activities for Reconciliation Week and to sign an on-line apology to Australia's Indigenous people click here
As former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, said recently: "The removal of Aboriginal children from their families was one of the most painful acts in Australia's history." He went on to add "We need a much greater national determination to address past wrongs and, symbolically, the most important element may be to address past wrongs in relation to the stolen generation.....a full apology is very significant.... an apology does not imply guilt. It implies a recognition that an injustice occurred. It implies we have a will and a determination to try to do something about the many people who have suffered as a result of that injustice".
For more information about Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, activities for Reconciliation Week and to sign an on-line apology to Australia's Indigenous people click here
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