Weave Youth & Community Services’ Post

I pay my respects to all Stolen Generation survivors. To the children who are still coming home, to the children who never made it home and to the families who are still healing from the trauma. On this Sorry Day, I acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Unfortunately today, 27 years after the Bringing Them Home report and 16 years since the National Apology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still 10.5 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be removed from their families*. We need to do better. As a Country. As a society. As people. As we head into Reconciliation week, I urge everyone to look a little deeper within themselves. Are you educated on the true history of this Country? Are you informed on the impacts of intergenerational trauma and how they relate to our Stolen Generations? Now more than ever, we need to come together for truth telling and finally create systemic change for our people ✊🏾👣 #SorryDay #NRW #Reconciliation #change #truthtelling #Aboriginal #Indigenous #Australia #Sorryday2024 #NRW24 *Information sourced from Reconciliation Australia.

Today marks National Sorry Day, where we remember and acknowledge the ongoing trauma and impact of the Stolen Generations. I’ve been meaning to post something all day but felt a little lost for words. Instead I’ve been reflecting on how the Stolen Generations are still playing out in devastating ways today. I rediscovered this video, now 9 years old, but still so relevant – and it hits hard. It’s half an hour of essential viewing, I hope you can make some time to watch it: https://lnkd.in/gS-uS-wW “This is not about ancient history. It is about today’s reality of suffering.” (6:38-6:45) “It was about official government policy that was designed to steal babies and small children from their families and put them into an institution, in foster homes. Sometimes this was a happy childhood for the youngsters but mostly it was terrible.” (8:13-8:31) “All of these things were designed to take the Aboriginality out of Aboriginal kids because there was a belief, particularly the Darwinist type belief, that the only way these children would survive was for them to be ‘civilised’. And that meant destroying the culture that they came from, trying to turn them into different shades of white, which never worked of course, and has resulted in enormous grief and trauma to Aboriginal society. And that’s ongoing, it’s what we see today. But much of its foundation is in these past laws and policies and practices.” (8:34-9:26) “Aboriginal people are the only people in this country ever to be automatically wards of State at birth because of law – because their Aboriginality was perceived to be a problem.” (9:35-9:48) #NationalSorryDay #StolenGenerations #26May

In the wake of the summer riots across England, community and faith leaders are urging for more profound dialogue on the underlying causes of unrest. Superficial, large-scale meetings aren't enough to address the disenfranchisement and anger - especially among young people. In the latest Religion Media Centre briefing, participants from our 11 Creating Connections events came together to discuss the need for genuine collaboration and support from government to address issues like safe streets and social justice. As we build towards lasting solutions, it’s essential that faith groups receive the resources they need to make an impact. How can we better support community dialogue and foster real change? Find out more and watch the full discussion. #CreatingConnections #CommunityLeadership #FaithInAction #SocialJustice #GovernmentSupport #SustainableChange #BuildingBridges #UKRiots

Today, on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities – the people who would become known as the Stolen Generations. Discrimination and systemic barriers, both past and present, have disproportionately affected First Nations people, leading to higher rates of domestic and family violence. This violence not only contributes to high incarceration rates; it is a primary reason why many First Nations children are placed in out-of-home care. We at Challenge DV acknowledge the pain of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been forcibly removed from their families and communities. We must all unite our voices and actions to prevent harm and create brighter futures for all First Nations people. Learn more about National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week at reconciliation.org.au

Today, on National Sorry Day, we pause to acknowledge the historical injustices inflicted upon Australia's Indigenous peoples and reflect on the ongoing journey towards reconciliation. While this day serves as a reminder of the past, it also calls upon us to consider the actions needed to truly honor and support Indigenous communities in the present and future. National Sorry Day holds significant importance as a time for both reflection and action. It marks a solemn recognition of the trauma and suffering endured by Indigenous Australians due to past government policies, particularly the forced removal of children from their families under the assimilationist practices of the Stolen Generations. However, merely acknowledging past wrongs is not enough. True reconciliation requires ongoing efforts to address the systemic inequalities and injustices that continue to affect Indigenous communities today. This includes issues such as disproportionate rates of incarceration, poorer health outcomes, and limited access to education and employment opportunities. Moving forward, it is essential that we commit to meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples, centering their voices and experiences in decision-making processes that affect their lives. This means actively listening to Indigenous perspectives, respecting Indigenous rights to self-determination, and working collaboratively towards solutions that promote justice and equality. Moreover, honoring National Sorry Day should not be confined to a single day of remembrance. It should serve as a catalyst for sustained efforts to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination, promote cultural understanding and appreciation, and foster genuine reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. As we observe National Sorry Day, let us not only reflect on the past but also reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and just society, where the rights, culture, and contributions of Australia's Indigenous peoples are respected and celebrated in the Community. #CLOSETHEGAP #IndegenousHealth #NationalSorryDay

Every Aboriginal child deserves love, family, and culture. 💔 right now, too many Aboriginal children are growing up separated from their families by a system that continues to fail them. Last year, only 2% of Aboriginal children and young people in care were reunified with their families. Imagine your own child growing up without you, wondering if you ever fought for them to come home. This is heart-breaking. This is unacceptable. We cannot stand by while a broken system continues to harm our children and communities. Together, we must: ➡️ Demand a system that prioritises keeping families together. ➡️ Invest in culturally appropriate services that empower Aboriginal families and young people. ➡️ Hold decision-makers accountable for the ongoing impact of this crisis. 💛 Every child and young person deserves the chance to grow up surrounded by the love, traditions, and strength of their family and culture. 👉 Stand with us and take action today: https://lnkd.in/gFV-EMEq Source: SNAICC Family Matters Report 2024 #TruthTelling #BringThemHome #StrengthAndCulture #SupportAboriginalChildren #ResilienceAndLeadership #FamilyMatters #AbSec

Today is National Sorry Day, which acknowledges the Stolen Generations of First Nations peoples of Australia. From the mid 1850's to the 1970's, Australia's state and federal governments systematically and forcibly removed many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their homes and families. More than 50,000 children were taken from their families without notice or reason and placed in institutions and foster homes, with many subjected to abuse and neglect. Children were denied any access to their cultures and punished for speaking their languages. It was decades before some children were able to see or speak to their parents again, and many families were never reunited. These children have come to be known as the Stolen Generations. There are over 17,000 Stolen Generation survivors, and it is estimated that one third of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are descended from the Stolen Generations. Truth telling is essential for reconciliation. On Sorry Day, we acknowledge the immense suffering caused by cruel and racist policies of assimilation and recognise Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities who continue to be affected by this deep injustice.

On National Sorry Day, we take this opportunity to remember and acknowledge the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities, and culture. We’re reflecting on the strength of the survivors and the importance of understanding our shared history, so we can play our part in #reconciliation. #NationalSorryDay #NRW2024 #NationalReconciliationWeek #ReconciliationWeek #FirstNations #ReconciliationAustralia

Due to work commitments, I missed my chance to post about National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week in general. However, it's better late than never to speak about what National Sorry Day means to me as an Australian Aboriginal person with a grandmother who was a survivor of the Stolen Generations. I will post separately about Reconciliation Week. The events of the past have deeply impacted my family and the broader Aboriginal community, particularly through policies designed to separate Aboriginal children from their families. This trauma continues across generations. The Bringing Them Home Report recommended the government apologize to those affected by the Stolen Generations, leading to the National Apology by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on February 13, 2008. However, National Sorry Day (May 26) and the National Apology are distinct. National Sorry Day reminds us of the ongoing impact of the Stolen Generations and calls for continued healing and reconciliation. It acknowledges the pain and stresses the importance of addressing past wrongs to build a more inclusive future. Understanding what it means to be sorry is essential. An apology should come from genuine remorse and a commitment to making amends. It should come from all representatives of institutions involved in crimes against Aboriginal people, including the attempted genocide, massacres, forced removal of children, deaths in custody, land theft, stolen wages, and institutional racism. Moreover, NGOs funded to take over government responsibilities—such as caring for Aboriginal homelessness, disabilities, foster care, and elderly care—must also be accountable for their roles in past and present injustices. Sincere apologies must be accompanied by tangible commitments to change. True reconciliation requires actionable steps to prevent these crimes from recurring. National Sorry Day should not compel every Australian to apologize for actions they were not personally involved in, which only confuses and divides. Apologies should come from those representing the systems and institutions responsible for these injustices. By focusing on accountability and ensuring meaningful apologies, we can foster a more united and understanding community. It's about recognizing the truth of our history and committing to a future where such wrongs are not repeated. Thank you for reading my thoughts. It's crucial to continue educating ourselves and others about these significant aspects of our history and work towards a more just and equitable society for all. Watch this video to learn more:

Today, on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. On this date in 1997, the landmark Bringing them Home report was tabled in Parliament. This report shone a light on the experiences of survivors of laws and government policies that saw thousands of children forcibly removed from their families and communities. This historical injustice is still an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma and impacts on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and peoples. At HWQ we support truth-telling as part of the journey towards reconciliation. Read the truth of our history in the full report here - https://lnkd.in/gHiQs4HJ