Sorry Day
The theme for 2014 is ‘SORRY. Still Living on Borrowed Time!
National Sorry Day is a very significant day for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and particularly for Stolen Generations survivors. The idea of holding a ‘Sorry Day’ was first mentioned as one of the 54 recommendations of the Bringing them home Report, which was tabled in Parliament on 26 May 1997. This report was the result of a two year National Inquiry into the forcible removal and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities and cultural identity. This removal and separation was carried out under Federal, State and Territory laws and policies from the 1800s to the 1970s.
The children who were removed are recognised today as the Stolen Generations.
Almost every Aboriginal family (and some Torres Strait Islander families) today can identify the loss of family members due to the forcible removal policies. The children that were removed and separated from their families grew up without an understanding of traditional knowledge culture and without a sense of connection to the land and country where they were born. This disconnection from their families, ancestors, communities and culture has had a lasting and negative effect on the wellbeing and identity of Stolen Generations members, and has had an intergenerational impact on their children and families. It is likely that these effects will continue into the future.
On 26 May 1998 the first ‘Sorry Day’ was held in Sydney. It is now commemorated across Australia, with many thousands of people participating in memorials and commemorative events, in honour of the Stolen Generations.
More about the word ‘sorry’
The word ‘sorry’ is used to express sorrow at the loss of a loved one by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, usually when that person passes away. The term ‘Sorry Business’ is used to describe the process of laying a loved one to rest.
It is important to understand that when using the word ‘sorry’ in the context of the Stolen Generations, the word represents the grief and loss experienced by the parents, families and communities of the children who were forcibly removed. Stolen Generations survivors themselves use the word ‘sorry’ when speaking of their loss as a result of their separation from their family, community, country and culture.
For Australians across the country, we use the word ‘sorry’ to show understanding and empathy for someone who has lost someone or something special. For example, ‘I’m sorry for your loss’.
When we meet to commemorate National Sorry Day, we do so by showing respect and remembrance in a similar way as when we meet on other days of historical significance. On National Sorry Day, we commemorate the Stolen Generations, their families and communities, celebrating their strength and survival.
The story of the Stolen Generations is a significant and important aspect of Australia’s history. By acknowledging our shared past we can begin the journey together to make a genuine and long lasting contribution toward the broader understanding of this history as we strive toward achieving healing in the wider community.
What can we do on Sorry Day?
(suggestions from the National Sorry Day Committee Inc website)
* have an Acknowledgement of Country at any and every gathering/event we hold (Welcome to Country if Aboriginal people are present to do this)
* light candles for the Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander children that were taken away
* hold a minutes silence to remember the Stolen Generations
* play the Nomad Apology Clip http://youtu.be/7IGfvg0u7XY
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* attend a National Sorry Day event (see here) like this exhibition at Fitzroy 2014 SG Art and Craft Exhibition
