Standing in Solidarity with First Nations Peoples on National Sorry Day

Today we acknowledge the deep hurt, grief and ongoing impacts carried by many First Nations people, families and communities, and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

On 26 May 1997, the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament.

Bringing Them Home documented the systemic nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals, their devastating impacts, and made clear recommendations for reparations, healing and reconciliation. The report followed a national inquiry and recommended a National Sorry Day be held on 26 May every year.

Forced removal policies caused profound damage to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. They were in place for more than 150 years – into the 1980s – and for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the impacts remain ongoing, lifelong and intergenerational.

Today we acknowledge the deep hurt, grief and ongoing impacts carried by many First Nations people, families and communities, and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

BSL reaffirms its ongoing commitment to reconciliation, truth-telling and self-determination. We are proud to stand in solidarity with First Nations people and to support Australia’s first Treaty process in Victoria.

For more information on The Stolen Generations, visit The Healing Foundation .