On the 26th of May, we acknowledge National Sorry Day.
We remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.
The 26th of May marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report in the Australian Parliament in 1997 and commemorates Stolen Generations Survivors. The report was a landmark truth-telling process that outlined 54 recommendations. Almost 30 years on, a number of the recommendations remain unmet, and we continue to see significantly higher rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (at 10.6 times the rate) being removed from their families that non-indigenous children.
Richmond Wellbeing recognises the significant importance of understanding and acknowledging the Aboriginal people and the necessity to continue to listen and learn deeply about the past better to support Aboriginal people in our services and the broader community. Without accepting the truth of our history, we cannot begin to fix the problems of the present.
As mentioned in the video below, National Sorry Day is acknowledged on the eve of National Reconciliation Week (NRW), marking an opportunity for Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Follow along with us during NRW this week to learn more.
Through the coming together of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and acknowledging the injustices Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people have suffered, we can learn together, walk together, and make the change together.
More information on National Sorry Day can also be found on the following websites:
