THE need for Catholics to observe National Sorry Day this week still exists despite the Federal Parliament’s apology to members of the Stolen Generation in February last year, Church leaders said.
Heads of two Catholic organisations involved with indigenous rights said this was because Aboriginal people were still suffering much pain and trauma from the sorts of events detailed in 1997’s Bringing Them Home Report.
Brisbane archdiocese’s Murri Ministry co-ordinator Ravina Waldren and Catholic Justice and Peace Commission executive officer Peter Arndt said all Catholics should read summaries of the report and look at its recommendations and understand that much more needed to be done.
National Sorry Day, on May 26, will be commemorated with a series events at Brisbane locations including Musgrave Park, South Brisbane; Kalinga Park, Clayfield; and Sherwood Arboretum.
This year’s theme is “Sharing a Journey of Healing”.
Ms Waldren said National Sorry Day was particularly significant in that it marked the anniversary of the release of the Bringing Them Home Report.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acknowledged the report’s many tragic stories of indigenous children separated from their parents in his apology speech on February 13 last year.
“This day unites all peoples across Australia in acknowledging the Stolen Generations,” Ms Waldren said.
“Participation in Sorry Day allows the healing process to begin for individual families and many communities across Australia.”
Ms Waldren noted that the 1897 Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act Queensland, allowed the chief protector to forcibly remove local Aboriginal people onto and between reserves and to detain children into dormitories.
As late as 1965 the director of Native Welfare was the legal guardian of all Aboriginal children, she said.
Mr Arndt said “despite the Federal Parliament’s momentous apology there is still much healing to be done”.
“Despite the apology, there is still a lot of ignorance about the forcible removal policies and this must be addressed,” he said.
“The Bringing Them Home Report recommended education about the practice in schools and for a range of professionals who work with indigenous people.”
For further information on Sorry Day events contact Ravina Waldren on (07) 38911 931 or Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173.
