Thankfully an Australian Prime Minister finally did it; apologising for the tremendous injustices done to Indigenous peoples of the land called nowadays, Australia. On February 13, 2008, Kevin Rudd publicly said sorry on behalf of all Australians. He went as far as anyone could reasonably go investing in the future of racial reconciliation. This began to address the deep hurt that many ‘stolen children’ directly affected have felt and feel still today.
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The bases and motivation behind ‘stealing’ generations of Indigenous peoples in Australia is downright wicked. It’s separatist and elitist ideology. It’s Satanic. To think that children were forcibly removed from their homes kicking and screaming, many times never to see their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers again, absolutely defies words. It should never have happened.
The bases and motivation behind ‘stealing’ generations of Indigenous peoples in Australia is downright wicked. It’s separatist and elitist ideology. It’s Satanic. To think that children were forcibly removed from their homes kicking and screaming, many times never to see their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers again, absolutely defies words. It should never have happened.
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What this society is left with, as a legacy, is an Indigenous people who struggle for personal and cultural identity. Still today, there are thousands of Indigenous Australians that grapple with the meaning to life. Such is their recent heritage they have little to base their person on. White man, this is the very core to being! Be an Indigenous person for one day; think of their parents, grandparents, and the hundreds in their communities they consider equally ‘mum,’ ‘dad,’ ‘brother,’ and ‘sister.’ Imagine being an alien every day, without the source of confidence in ‘who you are.’ Imagine feeling like an alien in your own land. Think of white man’s culture invasion. Think of having your right to choice removed.
What this society is left with, as a legacy, is an Indigenous people who struggle for personal and cultural identity. Still today, there are thousands of Indigenous Australians that grapple with the meaning to life. Such is their recent heritage they have little to base their person on. White man, this is the very core to being! Be an Indigenous person for one day; think of their parents, grandparents, and the hundreds in their communities they consider equally ‘mum,’ ‘dad,’ ‘brother,’ and ‘sister.’ Imagine being an alien every day, without the source of confidence in ‘who you are.’ Imagine feeling like an alien in your own land. Think of white man’s culture invasion. Think of having your right to choice removed.
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In Australia, Indigenous men die on average 17 years earlier than other Australian men. That is 59 years compared with 76 years. I know of a Noongar group, the Waangkininy Health in Peel (WHIP), who meet and discuss such issues, and how to support Indigenous people and “close the gap” between the Indigenous and other Australians in health. (Every Australian deserves the same opportunities regarding health, education, and future.) Their goal is to reconcile their past as a means of creating an integrative future.
In Australia, Indigenous men die on average 17 years earlier than other Australian men. That is 59 years compared with 76 years. I know of a Noongar group, the Waangkininy Health in Peel (WHIP), who meet and discuss such issues, and how to support Indigenous people and “close the gap” between the Indigenous and other Australians in health. (Every Australian deserves the same opportunities regarding health, education, and future.) Their goal is to reconcile their past as a means of creating an integrative future.
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All Australians should be appalled at our performance from 1869-1969.[1] Conversely, all Australians, and all citizens of the world, should applaud the courage and integrity of Mr Rudd in finally removing a major road block to racial reconciliation in Australia.
All Australians should be appalled at our performance from 1869-1969.[1] Conversely, all Australians, and all citizens of the world, should applaud the courage and integrity of Mr Rudd in finally removing a major road block to racial reconciliation in Australia.
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What I leave you with is Australia’s apology delivered by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd:
What I leave you with is Australia’s apology delivered by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd:
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~~ Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
~~ We reflect on their past mistreatment.
~~ We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.
~~ The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
~~ We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
~~ We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
~~ For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
~~ To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
~~ And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
~~ We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
~~ For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
~~ We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
~~ A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
~~ A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
~~ A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
~~ A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
~~ A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.
~~ Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
~~ We reflect on their past mistreatment.
~~ We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.
~~ The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
~~ We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
~~ We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
~~ For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
~~ To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
~~ And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
~~ We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
~~ For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
~~ We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
~~ A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
~~ A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
~~ A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
~~ A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
~~ A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.
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© Copyright 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
© Copyright 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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[1] According to Wikipedia (which is becoming increasing authoritative) the “Stolen Generations” period lasted 100 years though there are reported cases of indigenous children still being taken into the 1970s.
[1] According to Wikipedia (which is becoming increasing authoritative) the “Stolen Generations” period lasted 100 years though there are reported cases of indigenous children still being taken into the 1970s.
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