Why are we commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Federal Apology?

The Healing Foundation has produced a Fact Sheet that provides a comprehensive background on the Apology.

Why did the Federal Government apologise to the Stolen Generations?

The 'Stolen Generations' are the generations of Aboriginal children taken away from their families by governments, churches and welfare bodies to be brought up in institutions or fostered out to white families. Removing children from their families was official government policy in Australia until 1969. However, the practice had begun in the earliest days of European settlement, when children were used as guides, servants and farm labour. The first 'native institution' at Parramatta in 1814 was set up to 'civilise' Aboriginal children.

The Aborigines Protection Board was established and oversaw the mass dislocation of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands onto reserves and stations. Aboriginal girls in particular were sent to homes established by the Board to be trained for domestic service.

In 1909 the Aborigines Protection Act gave the Aborigines Protection Board legal sanction to take Aboriginal children from their families. In 1915, an amendment to the Act gave the Board power to remove any child without parental consent and without a court order.(1)

It is not known precisely how many Aboriginal children were taken away between 1909 and 1969, when the Aborigines Welfare Board (formerly the Aborigines Protection Board) was abolished. Poor record keeping, the loss of records and changes to departmental structures have made it almost impossible to trace many connections.

Almost every Aboriginal family has been affected in some way by the policies of child removal. Taking children from their families was one of the most devastating practices since white settlement and has profound repercussions for all Aboriginal people today.

NATSICC Response to the Apology in 2008

Immediately following the Apology, NATSICC issued a Media Release that embraced and applauded the Federal Government’s Apology to the Stolen Generations of Australia and importantly accepted the mutual responsibility that the apology necessitates. Download the NATSICC Media Release.

Catholic Church Response

In 1997 the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference issued a Statement of Sorry and request for forgiveness. In that statement the Bishops committed to the process of ongoing reconciliation.

Archbishop Wilson, on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, welcomed and affirmed the Federal Apology in this statement.