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Stolen Generations News

Welcome to the National Sorry Day Committee

The Bringing them home report (BTH Report) recommended (Recommendation No 7.a) that a National Sorry Day be held each year on 26 May "to commemorate the history of forcible removals and its effects." As a result of this recommendation the community-based organisation the National Sorry Day Committee was formed.

The NSDC was established in 1998 and has been incorporated since January 2001. From the beginning, the NSDC has worked with the commitment, dedication and involvement of both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians.

The NSDC is unique because it’s networks and memberships are made up of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous volunteers, including members of the Stolen Generations. It operates on a reconciliatory basis that upholds a positive partnership between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. Since the NSDC’s initial formation, each State and Territory has established affiliated Sorry Day Committees/Networks. The names of these affiliated bodies today reflect the broad spectrum of groups that the National Sorry Day Committee membership consists of. The various affiliates are known as either the Journey of Healing, Bringing Them Home, Sorry Day, Stolen Generations or Link Up. Over the years it has gathered a varied and wide support base from numerous organisations who are also committed to fighting for the rights of Indigenous Australians.

The NSDC has a mandate from the Stolen Generations, through our affiliated Regional/ State / Territory bodies. With the ongoing support of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians the NSDC continues to work in unity with the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, social justice and community organisations, so that the 54 recommendations of the BTH report are finally achieved.

Latest NSDC News

NATIONAL SORRY DAY EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

ACT

FAHCSIA, National Sorry Day Committee & Stolen Generations Alliance
THEME: “The Apology- Building a Bridge of Respect Together”
Sunday May 25th: From 10am Family Festival Concert celebration – Stage 88 from 10am
Monday May 26th: Memorial Service Australian Centre For Christianity and Culture (AC&C)
15 Blackall Street BARTON AC
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NSW

Youth Awareness Resource Network:
THEME: Sorry Day 2008 Commemoration
Monday May 26th: 5pm – 6.30pm “Where to from here after THE APOLOGY”
@ UNSW Council Chambers The Chancellery Building (C22)
Contact: Warren Roberts(ARC) or 0404780173 or Claire Ellis 93855210 (SEADU)

Link-Up NSW:
Monday May 26th:
Katoomba: link-up office on open day
Monday May 26th: Aday Sorry Day event in St Marys 9 Champnese St St Marys
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SA

Here are some more multi-faith events this month. A number of these are tied up with Reconciliation Week.
Sunday May 25th: Reconciliation Event at Campbelltown
Sunday May 25th: Free Family BBQ and Concert For Reconciliation
Monday May 26th: Sorry Day Event
Tuesday May 27th: Public Lecture and Prayers for Reconciliation
Wednesday May 28th: Nunkuwarrin Yunti Open Day
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VIC

Stolen Generations Victoria and the Stolen Generations Victoria Alliance
Public Commemoration to Mark the Tenth Anniversary of National Sorry Day
Monday May 26th: 2.30pm Federation Square
THEME: “Unfinished Business: Reparations, Restitution and Rehabilitation”
FORUM: All Stolen Generations members invited to share their ideas about the future of May 26
Monday May 26th: 10 am - 2.pm Aborigines Advancement League
The forum plans to travel to communities across the state over the next three months. Dates for regional forums will be posted on their website at: www.stolengenerationsvictoria.org.au
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Saturday May 24th: Long Walk Day on
Melbourne's Federation Square to walk to the MCG for the
Dreamtime at the 'G game between Essendon and Richmond.
The former Champion Australian Rules footballer and Indigenous leader,
Visit: www.thelongwalk.com.au
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QLD

Qld Sorry Day Journey of Healing Network Sorry Day Activities
Monday May 26th : 12pm - 3pm
THEME: “Sorry ~ a New Beginning”
Kuril Dhagan Indigenous Learning Centre, Qld State Library, Southbank Cultural Centre, South Brisbane
The Brisbane Sorry Day activities include a lunch-time barbecue with cultural entertainment, educational activities and guest speakers for a wide array of invited guests including local school groups, and the general public.

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WA

TAS
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OVERSEAS

CANADA

In Winnipeg, on Sunday May 25th, a wonderful day long program, starting with a Sacred Fire lighting at dawn, honouring activities and speakers will be happening all day and ending late in the evening with the extinguished fire's ashes being gathered by the Firekeepers to being to the next Sacred Fire. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Kimberley Puhach, Coordinator - for Winnipeg event information

There will be people of Winnipeg then travelling the next day to participate in the Brandon event.
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UK

Sorry Day 2008 - ENIAR celebrates with Indigenous Australia

ENIAR will mark Sorry Day 2008 in London with a Celebratory event, including a screening of Australian Prime Minister Rudd's Apology to the Stolen Generations and a documentary made especially to commemorate this momentous event (The Apology – see below).

"We invite all UK-based supporters of Indigenous Australian rights to join with us to remember the Stolen Generations, recognise their suffering and survival, and celebrate the achievement of the apology," concluded Ms Watson.

Date & time: Thursday 22nd May 2008, 7 - 9pm. Drinks & nibbles from 6.30pm
Venue: Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1 (nearest tube: Holborn)

The event is free and drinks and nibbles will be provided. For catering purposes it would be helpful if people could indicate their planned attendance by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT SAYS SORRY

SORRY DAY

On this 13th day of February
Flags may fly a little higher
As from Tassie to the Territory
We gather round a different fire

From Broome to Brisbane, Coffs to Cairns
Four corners we collect
Around a fire fuelled by remembrance
Acknowledgement, respect

Through the flames, the road ahead
One sea, one sky, one land
A step forward in the healing
And a new shape for the sand

From Perth, to Quorn to Bamaga
One word to hear, to say
Forever on our calendar
Australia’s Sorry Day

By Kate Hawtin

February 2008