National Sorry Day
A time to recognise the resilience of the Stolen Generations.
The years between 1910 and 1970 are a sad part of Australia’s history. This was a time where government policies had Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families, and placed into institutions, foster homes, or adoption.
The children who were taken from their families are known as the Stolen Generations.
National Sorry Day is held on the 26th of May each year to recognise members of the Stolen Generations. It was on this day in 1997 that a report titled ‘Bringing Them Home’ by the Australian Human Rights Commission was tabled in Parliament to acknowledge that Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and communities since the early days of European settlement in Australia.
This day has now become the national day of reflection and commemoration carrying a great significance for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities as well as non-Indigenous Australians. It gives members of the Stolen Generations, their families, and the wider Australian community a chance to share their stories of healing and resilience - to encourage and strengthen one another.
Community First Development (formerly ICV) together with the Hawkesbury Aboriginal Community held a Sorry Day event in Sydney to celebrate the strength and resilience of the community and to give individuals the opportunity to spend time talking about what the day means to them. We marked the day with an Acknowledgement of Country, smoking ceremony and a memorial tree planting ceremony. Thank you for supporting Community First Development at significant events like Sorry Day. Together, we will continue to recognise the members of the Stolen Generations as we work towards healing.
