Wed 16 April, 2008 00:00

The national apology was certainly a significant moment for members of the Stolen Generations who gathered at Parliament House to hear, at last, the formal national apology for the practice of removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, and its bitter legacy. It was certainly also significant for those – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who worked long and hard to secure justice and recognition for the Stolen Generations.

But it was not all just happening in Canberra.

It was amazing to hear stories from around the country of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly members of the Stolen Generations and their families, gathered in community centres and in public squares to witness the live telecast of the apology from Parliament House – side by side with non-Indigenous Australians who were also anxious to hear these healing words. And let’s not discount them as just words, as many have made a compelling case for their importance.

It is important to record and share these stories and perspectives. They allow us to learn from our past, to understand how it affects us today, and to resolve to shape the future by learning from past mistakes. This Yarning weBlog is an opportunity to publish many of the perspectives that have been shared with SNAICC to date. Some of these perspectives have been previously published in the SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

Share what the National Apology means to you

We would also like you to take this opportunity to share your perspective on the national apology mean to you, and to your family and community? If you work in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisation, we would like to hear what it means for your organisation too.

This is an opportunity to to read some of these perspectives and to share yours. Please read our comments policy before you start adding your comments.

This is just a beginning.

Aunty Zita Wallace of Central Australia says in her account of the day, “Saying sorry is a big milestone, but it is only the first step towards healing.” This sums up the whole theme for SNAICC's coverage of the apology both here and in our newsletter.

[Photo: candles spell out 'Sorry the first step' on the lawns of Parliament the evening before the national apology. Photograph courtesy of national online campaigning and lobbying group Get Up!, published with permission.]

Related Links

• See the photos of how communities around the country observed the national apology, and share your photos, in the 'National Apology' photo gallery in the Faces section
• Read stories and perspectives shared by our Elders and members of the Stolen Generations
• Read the story of the coolamon with a message
• Read what young people have to say about the national apology

 

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Wed 16 April, 2008 00:00

We asked members of the SNAICC National Executive to share what the national apology means to them.

These excerpts were originally published in the April edition of SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

 

Geraldine Atkinson is President of Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. She says:

I believe that the National Apology was long overdue. On February 13 2008 the Australian Government made a fundamental acknowledgement of past practices. I know from experience the impact these practices had on all community members.

The apology provoked mixed feelings. There has been grief and sadness, but also happiness and optimism. From this point there will be a sense of being able to move forward. Saying sorry is a progressive step that was absolutely necessary and it is something to feel hopeful about.

This wrong continues to create what Australia would call dysfunction, leading to our children being taken away, our men being imprisoned, our people dying young.  It is a recognition for our old Grandmothers and mothers of their hiding their children and not feeling safe in their own homes or communities, of being too frightened to ask for help because it only had one solution “to take them away”. 

To me the apology is the right thing, it is the Australian thing to do.  It is only when the Australian Government apologises can we as a nation truly move forward.

Debbie Bond is the Coordinator of the Aboriginal Resource & Management Support Unit, SA. She says:

As a member of the SNAICC Executive I am proud to know that SNAICC was the first national organisation to call for the inquiry into the Stolen Generations and now in 2008 our government has given a national apology to the Stolen Generations.

The apology means a lot to so many Aboriginal people who were victims of the Stolen Generations. I know it won’t help or erase the years of suffering they have been through but it will be a healing starting point for many of them and for Aboriginal people in general.

I also see it has a positive sign that the many non-Indigenous people in Australia want this apology to happen as well and that one little word is so important to all of us in Australia. From there we need to work out policies and strategies to help Indigenous Australians get a better future for all of us no matter were we live or what our situations are. This can only happen with a lot of hard work and appropriate support and resources from all areas to help us build a better future.

From the early childhood point of view, I would like to see more early childhood centres being built, more resources for our early childhood programs that cover better educational outcomes, greater availability to all areas of training for our staff, access to better health services, financial and management support and advice and lots of lots of our culture being installed in services all over Australia that will build our little ones’ self esteem and they can feel even prouder of being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

I also believe we should always strive for higher achievements in all areas and with the right support and resources our children can and have already started closing the gap.

So for me the saying of the word ‘sorry’ does need to happen and from there we need this government to support us to work hard at building a better world for us as Aboriginal people. We don’t need the word ‘sorry’ to make us feel proud because we are already a proud, strong race of people and over the many years of struggles we have proven how strong we can be and together we can support each other to become stronger and stronger.

Donna Klein, CEO of Central Queensland AICCA, represents the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Child Protection Partnership on the Executive. She says:

I have thought deeply about “what the apology means for me”, and the only constant feeling I get is “nothing really – what does it mean?” Will there now be equality among people, will there perhaps be equitable funding for our peoples? Does this mean that situation where our children who continue to be removed at a rate four times that of white children will improve rapidly?

Will it mean a future will be provided and assured for the next generation – our children and grandchildren? After all it is not about us. Will it mean our people providing services for our people? Will it mean less government control?

Unless the future path for our next generations is spelt out formally and enshrined in legislation, “the apology will always mean nothing to me”.
Kevin Rudd is calling upon all the brilliant minds in the country, of which a select few will be invited, to share their ideas for  the future, but take a step back and think - who determines who is a brilliant mind? The real solutions rest with ordinary people living ordinary lives, people who struggle to meet the challenges life throws at them but they never give up.

So how does Mr Rudd intend to find the real people with the real solutions?

Steve Larkins is General Manager of Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services, represents AbSec on the Executive. He says:

In the days leading up to the National Apology, I began to get very interested in the wording of the apology and found myself watching the news to see what it would say. I knew from talking with local members of the Stolen Generations how important ‘sorry’ was to them. I was reminded by them that sorry business in Aboriginal culture was of huge importance due to the levels of respect shown to those who have passed and that saying ‘sorry’ was not just a word but a sign of love, respect and honour, and important to our culture.

So when the opportunity arose for me to be in Canberra to attend the National Apology in person, I took that as a great honour and a great way of representing my people (Worimi) who could not attend or who are no longer with us. I spoke to my family who supported me attending to show our respect for the Stolen Generations. I also spoke to the local Lands Council, they too saw it as an opportunity for the Worimi to be represented at such a special event.

I was extremely privileged to be able to sit in the public gallery at Parliament House and to witness the Prime Minister read the apology. However, what made the day so much more important was that I was sitting beside two ladies who themselves were survivors of the impact of the Stolen Generations. To share their emotions and to witness their relief that the Government of Australia had finally acknowledged and apologised for their policies which led to so many children being removed from their families, was an overwhelming highlight for me personally.

Throughout the reading of the apology I was driven to think about my job as the General Manager of an out-of-home care agency which deals daily with Aboriginal children removed from their birth families. I was constantly going over in my mind how important it is to make sure that any Aboriginal child who enters out-of-home care (foster care) is placed with their family. Many states and territory’s now have an Aboriginal Placement Principle, but not until that moment has it meant so much to make sure that principle is followed.

And so now I am back in my office re-developing our agency’s policies to ensure that Aboriginal children who can’t live with their birth families get to live with extended family or at the very least have contact with their birth family so that the ties to family are built strong and that never again will Aboriginal children need to search for their mob, that knowing where you belong is a part of growing up in the lives of all Aboriginal children. That’s what the National Apology means to me.

Garry Matthews is CEO of Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre. He says:

I had strong emotions before the Apology – those emotions grew stronger during the Apology and I was able to allow those centrifugal emotions out after the Apology. I wept.

The Apology to me was recognition of truth. The truth that the stories our people have been telling for decades is believed. The truth that the sorrow and blame felt for decades by Aboriginal people is believed. The truth that the wrong-doings of the past are never to be allowed to happen in the future.

I was moved by the story of Nanna Fejo and the manner in which the Prime Minister referred to Nanna’s words.

I was moved by the words of the Prime Minister when he said to the Stolen Generations, “As Prime Minister, I am sorry. On behalf of the government of Australia, I am sorry. On behalf of the parliament of Australia, I am sorry. I offer you this apology without qualification.” I was moved when members of the Parliament turned to the gallery and applauded. I am thankful that I have lived to hear the Apology.

I feel that the apology is the first step in a long process of healing, a process of much sadness, another process for the Stolen Generations to re-tell their stories and an opportunity to keep the Prime Minister true to his word with regard to our children and our future generations.

The Prime Minister in his Apology said in reference to the Stolen Generations, “They are human beings, human beings who have been damaged deeply by the decisions of parliament and governments. But, as of today, the time for denial, the time for delay, has at last come to an end”.

Compensation must be sought and given without conditions.

I look to the future with smiling eyes and a ray of hope that one day Aboriginal people my people will be treated as an equal in Australian; that the constitution, legislation and laws of Australia recognise Aboriginal people as First People and show due respect.

Shirley Wilson, New South Wales early childhood representative on the Executive, made this statement on behalf of all the MACS of New South Wales:

We are all embracing the moment – this historic occasion of the federal parliament in Canberra offering the national apology to the Stolen Generations on 13 February. This is a healing process for all involved, and a special moment for members of the Stolen Generations. We want to see 13 February declared an annual National Day – as a Sorry Day – to commemorate this moment across the nation for years to come. 

You too can participate in this Yarning conversation on the national apology

What does the national apology to the Stolen Generations mean to you? Share your perspective in the comments to the introduction post, 'Sorry - the first step'.

 

Wed 16 April, 2008 00:00

Lorraine Peeters, a member of the Stolen Generations from Queensland who witnessed the apology from the public gallery in Parliament, presented Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with a glass coolamon to thank him for offering the apology to the Stolen Generations.

Following their speeches, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Dr Brendan Nelson, with Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin, had gone to greet the guests seated in the  visitors’ gallery, including 69-year-old Lorraine Peeters. It was then that she presented the coolamon to Mr Rudd.

Mr Rudd and Dr Nelson then stood together in the parliamentary chamber before handing the gift on to House Speaker Mr Harry Jenkins, who said, “I gratefully receive this gift on behalf of the House. It will represent a very important point in the history of not only this Chamber but our nation.”

It also contained a message to Mr Rudd, on behalf of the Stolen Generations, saying ‘thank you’ for saying ‘sorry’.

The  message also says:

“We have a new covenant between our peoples – that we can do all we can to make sure our children are carried forward, loved and nurtured and able to live a full life.”

Lorraine Peeters is one of eight children removed from her family and community when she was aged four. She is the creator of the Marumali Healing Model. “I was overwhelmed by the whole day,” she said.

“It put closure on everything for me. I have been through my own healing process but nobody had apologised to my own mother and father and community from Warren NSW.”

The beautiful red, black and yellow glass coolamon came from the Warlayirti artists community, Balgo Hills WA. It is currently on public display in Parliament House in Canberra.

By Rosie Elliott, originally published in the April 2008 edition of SNAICC News, SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

[Photo: Lorraine Peeters presenting the glass coolamon to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the House of Parlament after the national apology.Photo courtesy of Lorraine Peeters.]

 

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Wed 16 April, 2008 00:00

Mrs Zita Wallace, Chairperson of the Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families Aboriginal Corporation in Alice Springs, shares with us her reflections of the apology.

We waited ten years for an apology. It was wonderful to be part of such a historic occasion … it was just magic.

A month before the Prime Minister’s apology I travelled with a group of Stolen Generations Alliance members and advisors to Canberra to assist in the wording of the apology. It needed to recognise the detrimental affects that past policies have had on those like me who were removed and the trans-generational impact these policies still have on the lives of our families and communities. The Prime Minister incorporated everything we asked to be included, plus more.

On the day of the apology I was one of many Stolen Generations members who were invited to Parliament as special guests of the Prime Minister. Both Mr Rudd and his wife met everyone personally, shook hands and listened to people’s stories. He stood there and genuinely listened.

There was complete silence as the Prime Minister addressed Parliament. You could have heard a pin drop. There was not a dry eye in the house after the apology as the standing ovation went on and on and on. It was almost surreal to finally hear those words.

Finally, recognition that what had happened to me – my removal from my mother, my family, my land and culture – was not right. I immediately felt a weight  lift off my shoulders. I now am more empowered to progress with achieving other recommendations for reparations as outlined in the 1997 Bringing Them Home report. Saying sorry is a big milestone, but it is only the first step towards healing.

Since the apology our corporation has been inundated with calls from Stolen Generations members. They want to be acknowledged, and like me they feel empowered to speak up, not deny what happened or hide the impact and issues we are facing as a result.

The Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families Aboriginal Corporation is moving forward with an application to the Federal Government for reparation in the form of compensation for our members. Our corporation commends Senator Andrew Bartlett for taking the initiative to put forward a Bill for compensation to the Stolen Generations.

It is the right step in honouring the recommendations of Bringing Them Home, and we hope the Labor Government will follow this example and put compensation on the agenda.

Originally published in the April 2008 edition of SNAICC News, SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

[Photo: Aunty Zita Wallace (at right) with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife, Ms Therese Rein, on the morning of the National Apology at Parliament House, Canberra. Photo courtesy of Mrs Wallace]

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Wed 16 April, 2008 00:00

We asked some young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share with us what the national apology means to them.

Thank you to VIYAC (Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council) for sharing some of these reflection with us, and to SNAICC Project Officer Nikki Butler for compiling them for the April newsletter and for this Yarning.

 

What did the apology mean to me?

Rebecca Phillips, a young Bangerang woman, who works in Indigenous Education & Interpretation, shares her perspective.

I was down at Federation Square the day of the National Apology. I was amazed to see all the non-Indigenous people there – that is what made the event real for me. The apology would have been meaningless without non-Indigenous Australians supporting it. I was silently impressed by the words of Rudd, I think that he had demonstrated the sensitivity and respect that the matter truly deserved.

The words were well thought out and delivered with integrity, it was something all Australians could be proud of. It was not blaming and shaming but acknowledging past governments’ attempt at genocide, ruling out any debate that it happened and stating the facts so the healing could begin for the Stolen Generations. 

It made me really feel like an Australian, I even felt proud for a moment before Nelson tried to justify his own misunderstanding of the issue. In my own opinion, too many outspoken people have confused present day welfare practises and neglect cases with the past race based removal of children from loving families. I wish to thank the man who pulled the plug out of the speakers so we didn’t have to listen to Nelson gloss over the issue, talk about himself and blur his speech with the intentions of past policies rather than the outcomes it created.

The atmosphere at Federation Square was thick and at the moment those words were said by the PM you could feel the heavy burden of this truth become a lighter load that everyone shared. No longer was the weight being carried for those of the Stolen Generations who never thought that one day an apology would come for them, acknowledging the wrongs they endured.  May they now rest in peace. I hope for the people still looking for their families and identity that the actions following the Apology help the timely and emotional process of reuniting to be less challenging.

From an Indigenous youth perspective in the year 2008, the National Apology means more in symbolism than what it was intended for. My generation are the lucky ones who were not primarily affected by the past governments’ assimilation policies, only the repercussions they caused in our families’ wellbeing.

I believe that this day will be celebrated in future by people who believe in equality and common courtesy and are true to balanced Australian values.  It gave Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians a day to celebrate together – a milestone finally reached in our shared history.

[Photos (from top): Rebecca Phillips, part of the crowd at Federation Square in Melbourne, Victoria, watching the live telecast of the apology from Parliament House. Photographs courtesy of Rebecca Phillips]

Originally published in the April 2008 edition of SNAICC News, SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

 

 

“As a young person who is going to ‘live it’, what do you think the future of reconciliation is now, after the apology?”

Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC) State Coordinator Jade Colgan asked VIYAC members the question, “As a young person who is going to ‘live it’, what do you think the future of reconciliation is now, after the apology?”. Here are some of the VIYAC member’s responses.

Ursula, 22 – Eastern Arrente

I believe the national apology on 13 February 2008 increased the likelihood of Australia achieving reconciliation in my lifetime. I was present at Federation Square to watch the apology and was overwhelmed by the number of non-Indigenous Australians who stood beside me to witness and support this historic event. Their support and positive response enforced the notion that reconciliation is alive and more importantly is achievable.

The national apology is testament that considerable action does not happen over night, but it is proof that such milestones are feasible. I am confident that Australia will achieve reconciliation in my lifetime.

Jamie, 23 – Mount Isa

I found the apology surprisingly sincere. Mr Rudd has set an important precedent. I dare say that now other members of our government will find it very hard to avoid the pressing issues in Indigenous advancement in many areas of our laws, policies, services etc. I hope those who have suffered from the tragedies of our past find comfort, closure, peace and hope.

In terms of reconciliation, Mick Dodson wrote, in one of my favourite pieces of writing, “Denial is the enemy of Reconciliation”, so in my humble opinion this is a first step. I hope that better and stronger relationships in our organisations, services and most importantly amongst individuals are formed. This is imperative for the benefit of all Australians.

Reconciliation at the grassroots level is just as important as at the top, so let’s start and continue in our communities.

Shantelle, 24  – Barkindji

I am very appreciative of the apology made by Prime Minister Rudd and the fact that he acknowledged all colours of Aboriginality and all the successive generations. I, however, do not acknowledge the attempted apology made by [Opposition Leader] Brendan Nelson as it was against the spirit of the apology and it felt like a slap in the face after the Prime Minister’s tear inspiring apology.

I, as a young person, am grateful for the apology and the acknowledgement of the pain and suffering that has affected Australia as a country ever since the Stolen Generation was allowed to happen.

I will personally be living up to the apology and raise my daughter in that spirit and to have a love of Australian history both bad and good, because it has made us who we are today as a country. I am proud to say that I am an Aborigine and have ownership and claim to one of the oldest and awe-inspiring cultures in the world and belong to such a strong and beautiful country, Australia.

Reconciliation is still a long road ahead in my personal opinion. Speaking from personal experience I believe it will be difficult for Aboriginal Australia to reconcile with non-Indigenous Australia when we have trouble reconciling amongst ourselves. Hopefully with the apology the tensions will ease and we can all make the effort to better ourselves and redefine ourselves as a nation and a culture both nationwide and individually. 

Nikayla, 19 – Gunditjmara

I think that the national apology was the first step toward real reconciliation. The apology has been long over due and we can all now really come together as a nation and focus on moving forward together.

VIYAC is a Victoria-wide network of volunteer Indigenous young people between 12–25 years who provide a voice to government and community on issues of importance to them. VIYAC is an avenue for Indigenous young people to come together and voice their ideas, passions and interests, in a safe, structured and supportive environment.

For more information on VIYAC, contact Jade Colgan, State Coordinator, on 03 9267 3788 or viyac@viyac.org.au or check out their website at www.viyac.org.au

Originally published in the April 2008 edition of SNAICC News, SNAICC's quarterly newsletter.

 

You too can participate in this Yarning conversation on the national apology

What does the national apology to the Stolen Generations mean to you? Share your perspective in the comments to the introduction post, 'Sorry - the first step'.

 

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