The role of National Sorry Day in Australia

National Sorry Day, observed annually on May 26th in Australia, is a poignant occasion marked by gestures of contrition and reflection.

This commemorative day is dedicated to acknowledging the historical mistreatment of Australia's Indigenous people, particularly the trauma suffered by the Stolen Generations.

Established in 1998, National Sorry Day holds tremendous significance for the nation and its journey towards reconciliation.

To appreciate the significance of National Sorry Day, one must first understand the story of the Stolen Generations.

Between 1910 and the 1970s, the Australian government systematically removed Indigenous children, particularly those of mixed descent, from their families.

The government's rationale was a misguided and racist policy aimed at assimilating these children into mainstream white society, to 'breed out' their Aboriginality.

This policy led to significant harm to the Indigenous communities, fracturing families and severing cultural connections.

The children, many forcibly taken away from their families, were raised in institutions, foster homes, or were adopted by white families.

Many were subjected to harsh treatment and denied the opportunity to understand and practice their Indigenous heritage.

The Redfern Speech is one of the most iconic and influential speeches in Australia's history.

It was delivered by then Prime Minister Paul Keating on 10th December 1992 in Redfern, a Sydney suburb with a substantial Indigenous population, during the launch of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People.

The Redfern Speech is remarkable in that it represents the first time an Australian Prime Minister candidly acknowledged the suffering, dispossession, and systemic discrimination experienced by Australia's Indigenous people since the arrival of Europeans.

Keating did not shy away from using clear, strong language to express his message. He acknowledged that non-Indigenous Australians had "dispossessed" Indigenous Australians of their land, discriminated against them, and destroyed their way of life.

He famously said, "We committed the murders. We took the children from their mothers...We practiced discrimination and exclusion."

In his speech, Keating also highlighted the modern manifestations of this historical injustice.

He spoke about the high rates of Indigenous incarceration, the poor health outcomes, the reduced lifespan, and the lack of opportunity and widespread prejudice faced by Indigenous Australians.

Importantly, he pointed out that these issues were not "Aboriginal" problems but Australian problems.

Keating called for a new social contract, one founded on mutual respect and understanding, and sought to inspire a concerted effort towards reconciliation.

He declared, "We cannot imagine that the descendants of people whose genius and resilience maintained a culture here through 50,000 years or more, through cataclysmic changes to the climate and environment, and who then survived two centuries of dispossession and abuse, will be denied their place in the modern Australian nation."

The Redfern Speech was a significant departure from the narrative that often surrounded discussions about Indigenous Australians at the time.

It was a sharp, honest admission of the wrongs inflicted upon Australia's Indigenous peoples, and a clarion call for the nation to make amends.

The origin of National Sorry Day can be traced back to the Bringing Them Home report in 1997.

This report was the result of a national inquiry by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission into the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families.

It compiled heart-wrenching testimonies from the Stolen Generations, revealing the enduring pain, psychological trauma, and cultural dislocation inflicted upon them.

One of the key recommendations from the report was the institution of a National Sorry Day, "a day to acknowledge the strength of the Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on the path of healing".

The inaugural National Sorry Day was observed on May 26, 1998, and has been observed annually ever since.

Every year, Australians across the country partake in a variety of activities to observe National Sorry Day.

These events range from ceremonies, cultural performances, and public gatherings to educational activities.

It is a day for Australians to reflect upon their shared history, recognize the strength and resilience of the Stolen Generations, and take steps towards healing and reconciliation.

National Sorry Day also provides a platform to amplify calls for justice and the implementation of all the recommendations outlined in the Bringing Them Home report.

Despite the progress made over the years, there is still a long way to go in the journey towards true reconciliation and healing.

When Kevin Rudd was elected Prime Minister in 2007, one of his earliest pledges was to make a formal apology to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations.

This was a significant departure from his predecessor, John Howard, who consistently refused to issue a formal apology during his 11 years in office.

Rudd delivered on his promise early in his tenure. On the morning of February 13, 2008, the Australian Parliament opened its session not with the typical administrative proceedings, but with a momentous event: a formal, heartfelt apology from the government to the Indigenous peoples of Australia.

Rudd's apology was directed to the "Stolen Generations" — Indigenous Australians who had been forcibly removed from their families as children under government policies.

He expressed remorse for the laws and policies that "inflicted profound grief, suffering, and loss," acknowledging that these actions were a "blemished chapter" in the nation's history.

The apology had great resonance. For many Indigenous Australians, it was seen as a moment of vindication and recognition of their long-standing grievances.

For many non-Indigenous Australians, it was a sobering moment of national reflection.

This historic act was a watershed moment in Australian history and added impetus to the observance of National Sorry Day.

Rudd's apology acknowledged and amplified the importance of National Sorry Day, linking past policies of forced removal with the continued marginalization and disadvantage faced by many Indigenous Australians.

However, Rudd's apology also made clear that saying "sorry" was only the beginning.

For true healing and reconciliation, the government and people of Australia must commit to addressing the persistent inequalities and injustices faced by Indigenous Australians.

The importance of National Sorry Day extends beyond a single day of reflection. It also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to June 3.

This week is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to foster a more inclusive Australia.