National Sorry Day 2012
Event
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Where
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When
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Contact
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National Sorry Day
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National Event
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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National Sorry Day recognises the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
History of National Sorry Day
On 26 May 1997, the report of the national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families was tabled in Federal Parliament. The Bringing Them Home Report revealed the extent of 150 years of forced removal policies in Australia.
The Report revealed the devastating effects of these policies in terms of spiritual, emotional and physical trauma, as a direct result from the broken connection to traditional land, culture and language, the separation of families and the effect of these on parenting skills. It also revealed the trans-generational impact and damaging effects that these forced child removals continue to have on Indigenous families and communities today.
The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, one year after the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report.
The Bringing Them Home Committee organises a Sorry Day commemoration event in Perth every year. Schools are invited to attend, and the event has a very strong representation from the Indigenous community.