This separation caused disconnection and devastation of First Nations people’s family and kinship networks, traditional languages, and cultural practices.
Known as the “Stolen Generation”, National Sorry Day signifies the strength and resilience of First Nations people and gives the opportunity for all Australians to participate in the journey of healing our great nation.
Since its inception 24 years ago, there’s no doubt that this day and what it represents has helped improve social and economic equality in Australia. However, there’s still many stark societal imbalances and challenges that First Nations people face every day. This is why National Sorry Day, recognised annually on 26 May, has become not just about grief of the past, but about the imbalances that still exist today. The past historical loss and grief still affects many individuals, families, and communities today. Many individuals still have difficulties locating and reconnecting with family, reviving, and maintaining cultural connections.
A brief history
National Sorry Day was created following landmark enquiries that were tabled in Parliament, including the ‘Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’ (1991) and the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report (1997). These enquires revealed horrific past policies that caused children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century.
These reports, followed by the birth of National Sorry Day, and the work that was done behind the scenes by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, culminated in the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk for reconciliation in 2000 — one of the largest displays of public support for a single cause in Australian history. By 2001, all state and territory governments had issued apologies to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
On 13 February 2008, 10 years after the inception of National Sorry Day, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations.
Along with this apology, Australian state governments agreed to work together to achieve equality in health and life expectancy between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians by the year 2030.
How to observe National Sorry Day
The official National Sorry Day website lays out three ways you can observe the day:
- Learn the stories of the Stolen Generations
Just a little research will tell horrific stories of children torn from their rightful families and forced into an unfamiliar and difficult life living with strangers, as well as trying to keep up with the schooling, traditions, and family dynamics of colonist-descended white Australians. - Celebrate Aboriginal achievements
Aboriginal people have made incredible contributions to Australia as a whole, in the fields of art, music, law, medicine, entertainment, and more. Take a few hours to locate some of these contributions, learn about them, and bask in the richness of their culture. - Think about what “reconciliation” really means
To apologise without reservation. That can be a tough thing to do, whether as an individual or as a larger group. An apology can go a long way towards healing, or at least beginning to. Thinking about the concept of reconciliation in your life and applying it can be a humbling and important experience.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mental health
While it’s important we all understand reconciliation, it’s also important to understand the impacts this past historical event has had on the social and emotional wellbeing of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how it continues to affect their lives today.
A report in 2014 found “dramatic” increases in Aboriginal rates of youth suicide, anxiety, and depression, as well as cognitive disability and mental health among offenders, and perinatal mental health. A 2020 report has subsequently found that Aboriginal people experience depression (52%) and anxiety (59%) at much higher levels than non-Aboriginal Australians (32% and 47%). The health inequities continue, and our national ‘Closing the Gap’ targets are not met in many areas and in some cases, the gap is widening.
There are many reasons for this, ranging from widespread grief and unresolved trauma to ongoing discrimination and economic opportunities. But solving these can have an impact on other areas where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also at a disadvantage in society. For example, in 2017, the overall attendance rate for Indigenous students nationally was 83.2 per cent, compared with 93.0 per cent for non-Indigenous students.
This is then having knock-on effects that continues into adulthood. Employment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also still lagging the rest of Australia, as are reading and numeracy statistics. Indigenous prisoners represent 27% of the total full-time adult prisoner population, whilst accounting for approximately 2% of the total Australian population aged 18 years and over. Incredibly, in 2008, almost half of Indigenous males (48%) and 21% of females aged 15 years or over had been formally charged by police over their lifetime.
At Converge, we understand that people face many challenges in their lives and that, sometimes, require specialised support. This is why, if your organisation is in partnership with us, you may have access to specialist support (available during business hours) in addition to your existing Employee Assistance Program services. You may even have access to our specialist First Nations Helpline — check with your employer.
Our experienced consultants are either Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders themselves or have undertaken specialist training in cultural awareness. We provide a safe space for you to talk to someone who can empathise with your issues and provide support. Our services have been developed by First Nations consultants to provide culturally safe, secure, and professional support.
