Sorry day

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will deliver the apology to the Indigenous people of Australia. This will occur over 10 years after the Bringing Them Home human rights report recommended that the government apologise for the policy of removing indigenous kids from their parents.

This historic event will be streamed live across the nation by the ABC.  Reconcile Australia has information on viewing locations.

Some additional resources…

  1. Redfern Park Speech
  2. Indigenous Australia Timeline: Pre-Contact
  3. Indigenous Australia Timeline: 1500-1900
  4. Indigenous Australia Timeline: 1901-1969
  5. Indigenous Australia Timeline: 1970-2000
  6. The Stolen Generations’ Apology – 7 Handy Mythbusters (PDF)

Date: 11 February 2008
Author: Russ Weakley
Category: Events, General, News
Tags:

Comments so far

  1. Aboriginal Historian says:
    February 11, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    This is an important step by the Aussie government. Sadly, they are now changing the language of the appology so that “stolen” is no longer used, simply “separated.” Kinda deflates the appology.

  2. Russ says:
    February 11, 2008 at 11:12 pm

    @Aboriginal Historian: Agree – it is a very important step – one that should have happened years ago. And, yes, I agree that the wording change is disappointing.

  3. Ted says:
    February 12, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    Based on 1 minute research, the terms of reference for the Royal Commision included the word”…separation…”.

    I haven’t seen any wording but I can understand why the Government should feel the benefit/need to align with the language of the Royal Commission.

    In any event, whether “stolen” or “separated”, can there be any doubt at all about what the apology is for?

  4. The Nourisher says:
    February 12, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    I feel mostly sadness for what we have lost from the culture of Aboriginal people. I write about Nourishment in all her forms and consider the lifestyle of the original people of this land to be the most Nourishing I’ve ever encountered. Here is a story about my experience with Aboriginal Australia. Love to hear your thoughts.

  5. The Nourisher says:
    February 12, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    Sorry dropped the link:

    http://editor.nourishedmagazine.com.au/articles/394

  6. Russ says:
    February 12, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    @The Nourisher: a truly amazing story! Thank you for sharing