home | news l

A declaration by Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations

National Day of Healing - Sorry Day 2005

May 2005 - We, Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations, our families and communities, still experience grief and trauma as a result of Government policies and practices. We remember those who have passed on without receiving justice.

We recall the crimes since white settlement began. The rape and massacre of many of our people, which resulted in the destruction of whole Aboriginal nations, and the attempt to 'breed out' our Aboriginality and assimilate us into the white population.

THESE ARE ACTS OF GENOCIDE

The theft of our children, and the mental, emotional, sexual, and physical torture many endured in government and religious institutions - and the ongoing suffering. The refusal to allow our Elders to teach our heritage. The desecration of our culture. Our removal from our traditional lands - our 'belonging place' and our spiritual connection. The banning of our beautiful languages, and the compulsory teaching of a foreign language and religion. The detention of our Elders, families and nations on reserves and missions. Our exclusion from the social, political and economic development of our beloved country. The adoption of a Constitution without our input. The constant imprisonment of our people, many of whom have died unjustly in custody.

THESE ARE ACTS OF BARBARITY

Yet we, the Aboriginal Nations and peoples of Australia have continued to resist. We have worked against incredible odds for our voices to be heard and our plight addressed. We have formed organizations. We have worked for the freedom of our people through petitions and campaigns at home and abroad. We changed the Constitution through the 1967 Referendum. We honour those non-Indigenous people who stand with us in our struggle for justice.

THESE ARE ACTS OF RESISTANCE

We fought until the Australian Government removed the untrue and insulting notion of Terra Nullius and recognised our Native Title rights. We have persuaded Governments to inquire into the deaths of our people in custody, the Stolen Generations, the health and welfare of our people, and to change policies. Our voices will not be silenced. Our stories will be told.

THESE ARE ACTS OF TRUTHTELLING

We will continue to fight for self-determination, and for the recognition of our Aboriginal people as the First Nations of Australia, the restoration of our languages, the reconstruction and development of our economic life, including royalty payments, the inclusion of Aboriginal rights within the Australian constitution, restitution for past injustice, and a national Government apology.

THESE ARE ACTS OF JUSTICE

We acknowledge the compassion and contribution of Australians, churches and governments to the healing of Stolen Generations expressed in the Bringing Them Home report, Sorry Day gatherings, Bridge walks, apologies in Sorry books and invaluable programs such as Link-Up and the Bringing Them Home Counsellors

THESE ARE ACTS OF HEALING

Many people have come to our country who suffered in their homelands - from the early convicts expelled to our shores for petty crimes, to those seeking asylum today. We do not want any one to experience the humiliation and trauma that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have endured over these past 217 years.

Many of us - Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous people - are on a journey of healing. Together, we will continue to work for, and be a part of, the healing of all peoples and cultures in our country, so that we become a nation based on truth, justice and freedom.

WE CALL UPON ALL AUSTRALIANS TO JOIN TOGETHER ON MAY 26TH 2005 TO COMMEMORATE A NATIONAL DAY OF HEALING FOR ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN OUR COUNTRY.

Source: National Sorry Day Committee

Further information: stolen generations issues page - includes news index and external links

|| click to go to the top of this page