Aboriginal Histories and cultures

“Aboriginal children removed from their families and placed in institutions or fostered by White families between 1910 and 1970” (Collins, 2013). During this time, the Australian public were lead to believe that by taking these children these Indigenous Australians were being disadvantaged and were at risk if they stayed in their own communities (National Sorry Day Committee, 2013). The reality of this event was that these children were taken to be exposed to ‘anglo values’ and ‘anglo work habits’ (National Sorry Day Committee, 2013). Essentially, these children were taken to stop these children from passing on their culture (National Sorry Day Committee, 2013).

On the 13^th of February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stood up in federal parliament, and on behalf of all of Australia said “sorry” (The Sunday Morning Herald, 2008). This speech inflicted much reconciliation within the Aboriginal community (Korff, 2013).

“It’s been absolute closure. I was taken when I was 10… This apology was something I really needed to hear.”

Murray Harrison
(as cited in: (Korff, 2013).

“In my heart I feel there is a real need for [the apology] … For my family, it allows some kind of healing and forgiveness to take place where there is less anger and bitterness in the hearts of people.”

Cathy Freeman
(as cited in: (Korff, 2013).

However even in this dire part in Australian history, we are able to find reconciliation. With this speech, Kevin Rudd managed to fill the hole in the hearts of Indigenous Australians (Warren Mundine, as cited in: Korff, 2013). With this, it can be seen that not everything in history is set in stone. This apology has been a great stepping stone in the right direction for the Indigenous Australians.

 

References:

Collins. (2013). English dictionary definition of "stolen generation". Retrieved from http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/stolen-generation

Korff, J. (2013). 'sorry’ apology to stolen generations. Retrieved from http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/sorry-apology-to-stolen-generations

National Sorry Day Committee. (2013). The history of the stolen generations. Retrieved from http://www.nsdc.org.au/stolen-generations/history-of-the-stolen-generations/the-history-of-the-stolen-generations

The Sunday Morning Herald. (2008). Kevin Rudd’s sorry speech. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html