❤️💛🖤Today is National Sorry Day

Today, we remember and acknowledge the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families and communities – The Stolen Generations.

We remind ourselves of the historical injustices that are an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma for First Nations Peoples.

The 24th anniversary of Sorry Day marks the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report – which was 25 years ago today. Sorry Day started the year after to recognise the atrocities that happened and to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who were removed from their families.

Apologising is more than just saying sorry. It means coming together and taking the steps we need to take towards healing. We acknowledge that we still have a long way to go as a nation.

We are proud that our Mercy Works Board Member, Steven Collins, a Pitta Pitta man, is the first Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the Parliament of NSW.

“I see National Sorry Day as a way to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generation Survivors and how we all share in the healing process,” says Steven.

“Our Adelaide First Nations Advocacy Project, run by Ngadjuri woman Aunty Pat Waria-Read, shows the strength, resilience and the generosity of Stolen Generations survivors in ensuring the pain and trauma they suffered ends with them. Mercy Works works in partnership to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard and front and centre.”

Our Nunga Babies Watch Project has called upon the South Australian Government for immediate action to end another Stolen Generation from happening.

“We do not want ‘assimilation’ of our children to continue, nor do we want a silent continuation of the Stolen Generation,” says the statement.

The on-going intergenerational trauma related to the removal of Aboriginal children is well document. “Aboriginal leaders do not want to see this trauma continued,” says Aunty Pat.

You can read the FULL STATEMENT OF THE TAKING OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN here