Australians, But Not Government, Apologize to Natives

by Sumegha Agarwal

And while all the "sorry's" were supposed to be said on May 26, which was designated as 'Sorry Day' by grassroots organizations, the apologies are still being received by aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders across the country.

The day came right before the start of National Reconciliation Week that ended June 3. May 26 also marked the first anniversary of the tabling in federal parliament of a report on the forcible removal by the state of aboriginal children from their families.

The practice, which lasted until the 1970s as part of a policy of assimilation, not only caused anguish to the indigenous parents and children but also resulted in damages to the physical and mental health of the youngsters.

Hundreds of thousands of these "removed" children, who were either adopted by white families or placed in institutions also suffered a loss of language, culture and connection to traditional lands.

The report on the practice of forcible removal, entitled "Bringing Them Home," had suggested that a Sorry Day be held to commemorate the history of this mistake of the past and start a healing process.

But Canberra did not seem to see the need to officially declare such a day. Prime Minister John Howard himself has been steadfast in his refusal to issue a formal apology on behalf of the federal government, sticking by his position that the current generation could not blamed for past events they had no control over.

He has gone so far only as conveying his "personal regrets" for mistakes committed against aborigines, a position he repeated only recently.

Ruling Coalition and Labor MPs also failed to reach a bipartisan agreement on what Parliament should say to mark Sorry Day.

About 500 of the "sorry books," meanwhile, have been presented to representatives of the "stolen generation". Hordes of people have also been showing up and participating in various events nationwide.

There was also much hugging and weeping in the streets, as non-indigenous Australians strode up to aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders to say sorry for the hurts of the past. There is even an "Apology Australia" website where people can register and write their thoughts.

But even in the face of the success of Sorry Day, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Heron supported Howard's stance by saying: "We don't believe all Australians should be asked to apologize for acts they didn't commit."

For his part, though, Howard has since announced tax deductibility for donations of more than two Australian dollars ($1.30 U.S.) to a fund designed to help "removed" aborigines. He has also announced more funding for practical initiatives in aboriginal health, housing and education.

Some local officials had no qualms about issuing formal apologies. In Melbourne, Mayor Ivan Deveson last week did not only that, but also presented the keys of the city to the Victorian Aboriginal community.

In the state of New South Wales, people gathered on the harbour in front of Government House to hear Premier Bob Carr and opposition leader Peter Collins both express regret over past policies toward the indigenous peoples.

Peter O'Brien, National Coordinator of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, told IPS that in the "Sorry Books," people mainly said they didn't realize what had happened in the past, and were offering a personal apology for the deeds of earlier generations.

Wrote a Sydney resident: "I am deeply sorry for the sorrow suffered in the past by indigenous Australians. In (the) future, may love and understanding breach cultural differences so that we can live side by side in harmony."

To apologize is the first step for people to acknowledge the injury, said O'Brien. He noted, though, that the experience seemed to overwhelm many of those who signed the books, making them break into tears.

Some have been critical of the observance of "Sorry Day." Said Queensland Premier Rob Borbridge: "The whole sorry industry has gotten a bit out of hand...if some people spend their lives moping around what happened in the past, that's their business."

But more Australians seem to share the sentiments of Sydney resident Bonita Mason, who braved the cold weather to attend the Sorry Day concert here last week because "it is something I want to support and be a part of."

"It is about our soul as a nation," she said. "We have the opportunity now, through embracing reconciliation, to move forward so that when we look back, it's not with regret and shame this time, but with the knowledge that a wrong was at least partly put right."

Added Mason: "We should say sorry because we can, and because indigenous people in this country still have enough generosity to accept an apology from us," she said. "Saying sorry is part of the process of healing. And it's about healing our wounds as perpetrators of wrongs as well as those we hurt."