Today is National Sorry Day, but many Indigenous Australians say they're still
being asked: 'Why should I apologise?'
Australia marks National Sorry Day on May 26 each year, remembering and acknowledging the
mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed as children
from their families and communities, otherwise known as the Stolen Generations.
Children were taken because of official laws and government policies at the time, which aimed to
assimilate the Indigenous population into the non-Indigenous community.
The children were renamed, forced to stop speaking their native language, and were told their parents
no longer wanted them.
The policies were in effect right up until the 1970s, and many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people are still searching for lost parents and siblings today.
The principal Public Sorry Day was held a long time back, remembering one year after the Bringing
Them Home report was postponed in government parliament.
The report found the constrained evacuation of Native kids lifelongly affected Taken Ages survivors and
their families.
After a decade, in February 2008, then-head of the state Kevin Rudd made a proper expression of
remorse to Native and Torres Waterway Islander individuals; expressing sorry to the Taken Ages.
Ms Wallabindi said she addressed her mom upon the arrival of the public expression of remorse.
"She was simply glad to such an extent that it had worked out," she said.
"It didn't change what had befallen her, yet it intended that there was this cross country affirmation that
it had worked out.
"It recognized the torment and injury of a many individuals."
'For what reason would it be a good idea for me to apologize?'
In any case, Ms Wallabindi said, close to this season, Native Australians can be likely to remarks and
maltreatment from the more extensive local area.
She said she had heard many individuals addressing why they ought to apologize, inquiring: "For what
reason would it be advisable for me to apologize? I had nothing to do with it, my precursors had
nothing to do with it", or: "It was so long prior, for what reason would we say we are saying 'sorry'
"It's tied in with recognizing that it worked out," Ms Wallabindi said
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