Welcome to the National Sorry Day Committee

The National Apology has heightened the National Sorry Day Committee (NSDC) resolve to broaden its membership base in order to effectively advocate and represent the rights, justice and healing needs of the Stolen Generations.

Over the past two years the National Sorry Day Committee, has gone through a huge transformation and rebuilding process. This transformation followed the dissention within the organisation that led to the breaking away of members and the formation of the Stolen Generations Alliance (SGA).

The remaining NSDC members were faced with the reality of having to review the viability and future direction of the organisation. This included having to re-evaluate the constitution of the NSDC, most especially the limitations it created in the organisation’s ability to broadly represent and consult with the Stolen Generations around the country. This situation was brought home even more strongly through the shared experience of the recent National Apology, as the NSDC worked in partnership with not only its State & Territory affiliates, but also the Stolen Generations Alliance (SGA), the Link-Up services from around the country who represent thousands of Stolen Generations, and numerous NGO’s who advocate for, represent, and have Stolen Generations memberships.

Given the level of success the NSDC has accomplished in its endeavours towards healing the past and forging positive partnerships for the future, the majority of the NSDC membership are no longer willing to allow the dissent of the past to continue to hinder and debilitate the way forward for the Stolen Generations. As such the NSDC membership has demonstrated their stand against the practice of bigotry, reverse racism, direct personal persecution and lateral violence, as well as the deliberate attempts to defame the character and reputation of individuals within this organization. These violations of the human rights of Stolen Generations Survivors, the membership of the NSDC and supportive and respected non-Indigenous brothers and sisters, is something the majority of the NSDC membership refuses to continue to endure. 

Over the past twelve months, a great deal of healing and rebuilding of relationships has been occurring between former and present members of the NSDC, as well as the renewal and strengthening of relationships between state Link-Ups, and the building of new working partnerships with numerous NGO’s and Community based groups. This healing will continue as we work together towards justice for the Stolen Generations.

The NSDC representatives presented a broad range of views to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, in the negotiations in the lead up to the Apology, and worked tirelessly with its State and Territory affiliates, FAHCSIA, Reconciliation Australia, ANTaR and SGA in supporting as many Stolen Generations as possible to be present at Parliament House for the Apology itself.

The NSDC has brought forward the interests of the Stolen Generations in relation to a whole of government approach to the 54 Recommendations. Particularly in making representations to the Minister regarding the formation of a 'Stolen Generations' Bringing Them Home 'watch group' or as it has become known, the Bringing Them Home Working Group.  Early meetings of potential working group partners have occurred and there is a draft term of reference, on the table.

In recent months the NSDC has made submissions to the Stolen Generations Compensation Bill Inquiry and has, as part of the working group consultations, collaborated with Link-Up (NSW) in a submission to the National Child Protection Framework discussion paper. The NSDC has been in ongoing negotiations with the Government in relation to a public relations campaign to improve understanding of Stolen Generations in the wider community and to overcome systemic discrimination towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people generally.  There has also been dialogue with a number of people concerning healing approaches for Stolen Generations, and their families, with consideration to how this relates to the wider health and wellbeing issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In Western Australia the NSDC and SGA affiliates held complimentary Sorry Day events, in support of each other, whilst in Canberra the NSDC and the JoHACT worked with SGA in partnership with FACHSIA toward a National Sorry Day Event. The attendance of Link-Up (NSW) to the event, exemplified the strengthening association between not only NSW but also Queensland, Northern Territory and Victorian Link-Up services with the NSDC.

National Sorry Day 2008 saw the bringing together of many former and present members of the NSDC to commemorate Sorry Day, at a shared memorial service in Canberra, led by former NSDC non-Indigenous Co-Chair Reverend John Brown, followed by the NSDC Tenth Anniversary reception at Old Parliament House hosted by Jenny Mackin.

The NSDC continues to lead community education through the “WALK Your TALK and Bring Them Home” campaign. This campaign has a strong on line presence with its various components being adopted by Schools, NGO’s, government departments, community groups, faith groups and individuals. Pledge books are being created and registered with the NSDC National Pledge Book Registry. The Stolen Generations Track Home has been installed at hundreds of locations around the country, whilst Schools through out Australia have held Sorry Day Events as they support the annual Australian Schools National Sorry Day.

The NSDC has an obligation and commitment to advocate for the Stolen Generations in a proper and appropriate manner, and to ensure this happens, the NSDC will be launching early in the new year, another component of its campaign, the “Consultative Listening Tour” in collaboration with its affiliates and partners. The tour will provide the opportunity for Stolen Generations across Australia to put forward their needs and aspirations for the future, and to strengthen the NSDC’s advocacy work nationally as it works towards expanding its networks and its Stolen Generations memberships at the Regional, State and National levels. Discussions on the final form of the tour will take place at the NSDC Annual Conference later this year.

The National Sorry Day Executive and members are excited in the anticipated opening of the National Sorry Day Committee office next month, and it’s new direct phone line, that will only strengthen and enhance the NSDC Website information service that presently exists.