Why are we saying 'sorry' to the aboriginals?!

[2020hindsight]

so 2020, i take it youre of the belief that saying sorry will help the aboriginal people??

can you explain how and why?

For the same reason it's hugely important to them ( refer that article)
For the same reason that lady - stolen generation - cried on TV last night at the thought that it might finally happen.
For the same reason that Fraser, Keating etc al all think it is essential.
And for the same reason that I think it was probably one of the lowest moments in Aus politics when J Howard yelled at those Abs in Canberra that no way would he apologise - and they rightly turned their backs on him.

 

[BIG BWACULL]

Heres a bit o somethin from the Koori Mail

Government names the date for apology
The Rudd Government will formally apologise to members of Australia's Stolen Generations on Wednesday 13 February.
Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin announced on 30 January that the apology would be the first item of business for the new parliament in Canberra.
"A national apology to the Stolen Generations and their families is a first necessary step to move forward from the past," Ms Macklin said.
"The apology will be made on behalf of the Australian Government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people."
Stolen Generations representatives and other Indigenous groups welcomed the announcement.
Christine King, from the Stolen Generations Alliance told AAP that she was 'overwhelmed' that a date had finally been set.
"Older people thought they would never live to see this day, it's very emotional for me and it's very important," Ms King said.
She said 'sorry' was the most important word 'because it has great meaning in our community, it means having empathy and compassion and understanding'.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said the apology would directly benefit members of the Stolen Generations by validating their experiences,
"It will also benefit Australian society as a whole by re-building respect and reinforcing a reconciled Australia, where we can all feel proud that our national story and aspirations are shared," Mr Calma said.
Reconciliation Australia chief executive Barbara Livesey said Australians should feel incredibly proud of the nation 'recognising the mistakes of the past, acknowledging them, and moving forward together, indigenous and non-indigenous people side-by-side'.
In what is believed to be an Australian first, Ngunnawal Elder Matilda House will provide a national Welcome to Country as part of the parliament's opening ceremony proceedings the day before, on Tuesday 12 February, a move that has drawn criticism from the likes of WA Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey.
Ms Macklin said she had consulted widely on the apology, including with the National Sorry Day Committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance.
"I have also met with Malcolm Fraser and Lowitja O'Donoghue, who are patrons of the Stolen Generations Alliance," the Minister said, adding that other Government MPs had consulted on the issue and she was confident the timing of the apology was right.
She said an apology was 'the beginning of a new relationship, a bridge to build respect and a powerful healing symbol'.
"Once we establish this respect, the Government can work with Indigenous communities to improve services aimed at closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian," she said.
"The Australian Government has committed to a $261 million investment in improving Indigenous kids' health and early development.
"We have also committed an extra $15 million towards counselling and helping the Stolen Generations reconnect with loved ones."
Ms Macklin said she hoped there was bi-partisan support in the Parliament for an apology for the Stolen Generations.
The matter of an apology has generated widespread debate, including by some Stolen Generations representatives who feel the apology should be delayed to allow for greater consultation on its wording.
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has expressed fears that an apology would lead to more claims for financial compensation.
The Rudd government has refused to introduce compensation for members of the Stolen Generations, saying it will focus instead on closing the gap in health and life expectancy between black and white Australians.

 

[2020hindsight]

Since I love the stock market and I am aboriginal I have decided to include the following in a hope that it will answer some of your questions. regards , sarah

thanks sarah
post #90 refers if anyone wants to read the pdf attachment.

 

[trading_rookie]

From a pragmatic view, no way should an apology be offered...considering it might cost us billions. But from a humanitarian perspective, I guess a sorry doesn't seem that much for those Indigenous Australians (I prefer this term over the word Aborigine, since really it isn't uniquely Australian) who were abused physically and mentally....as long as compensation, if pursued is capped per genuine victim and (being pragmatic again) the final cost isn't in the billions but millions.

 

[cordelia]

Let the govt just do it and see the miraculous change that occurs in the indiginous communities overnight with the utterance of the word "sorry". No more fighting, drunkeness, gluesniffing or child abuse. Time will be the judge.....

 

[trinity]

IMHO, what we are really worried about is a few individuals profiting from this "compensation" or, the compensation going to waste through drinking/pokies etc.

If Rudd can setup a fund properly that will benefit the WHOLE if not majority of the community, then please , go for it ...

 

[2020hindsight]

Let the govt just do it and see the miraculous change that occurs in the indiginous communities overnight with the utterance of the word "sorry". No more fighting, drunkeness, gluesniffing or child abuse. Time will be the judge.....

well at least there won't be any more kids stolen and subsequently sexually abused within the supposedly better white system. (30% of females fostered out for starters) .

And the cat of nine tails in the WA museum used on some of em can be finally locked behind bars - but kept on display as a permanent reminder of that sad episode.

 

[2020hindsight]

Being a migrant, I do not totally understand this "stolen" generation issue. Could someone provide an unbiased summary of this? Thanks.

Trinity -
remind me how much you've researched this please

 

[disarray]

well at least there won't be any more kids stolen and subsequently sexually abused within the supposedly better white system. (30% of females fostered out for starters) .

no, kids will be continue to be able to experience sexual abuse from within their own community. thats a positive step forward!

And the cat of nine tails in the WA museum used on some of em can be finally locked behind bars - but kept on display as a permanent reminder of that sad episode.

less drama please. the cat of nine tails was used on everyone, not just aborigines.

 

[agro]

IMHO, what we are really worried about is a few individuals profiting from this "compensation" or, the compensation going to waste through drinking/pokies etc.

If Rudd can setup a fund properly that will benefit the WHOLE if not majority of the community, then please , go for it ...

agree

simply put the compo towards education, health and training rather than hand outs

once thats exhausted they will come back for more and more

 

[rederob]

Tell you what, rederob, how about you and I tell this forum why we stole their land.
You go first. Why did you steal their land?

I offered the original owners nothing for the land I occupy.
I suspect the people before me did the same, and the people before them.
Sorry.

 

[cordelia]

well at least there won't be any more kids stolen and subsequently sexually abused within the supposedly better white system. (30% of females fostered out for starters) .

And the cat of nine tails in the WA museum used on some of em can be finally locked behind bars - but kept on display as a permanent reminder of that sad episode.

Aren't they already on display if they are in the museum?

 

[tronic72]

I used to think saying sorry for something that our generation has had nothing to do with was stupid. My reasoning was; if Joe Blows great grand father raped my grandmother would I expect Joe Blow to apologise? Of course not.

But, I think it's more a token gesture to say that we "regret" what happened in the past. If it puts us on the path to reconciliation then I think it can only be a good thing. Unfortunately, I think many aboriginals would see it as a green light to sue the pants of the government in power at the time.

Sadly, I think there are many more difficult and challenging barrier Aboriginals need to overcome.

 

[2020hindsight]

Aren't they already on display if they are in the museum?

hey - since you knew they were there cordelia , I guess I can delete that post as "common knowledge".

They again, since Disarray admits it was used , the post might as well stay as proof that things were not all "lace and laughter" for these stolen kids (as has been almost constantly inferred around here)

 

[nioka]

Tell you what, rederob, how about you and I tell this forum why we stole their land.
You go first. Why did you steal their land?

Did they own it in the first place or were they just roaming around on it and living off it. Even with their occupation they fought over some of it and displaced one another from time to time. I paid sweat and toil to own my little bit as did all the early settlers. That is all in the past. Let's move on. Abo or whitey or those in between we have to live together. It is time to be one nation with equal rights.Everyone should do their bit and earn their place. Apologise for any past wrongs then move on.
If you think you stole their land you are free to give back anything you stole. Just don't speak for others.

 

[roland]

Did anyone watch the 7.30 report tonight?

We now have Broome suffering a housing crisis, unemployed Aboriginals on welfare drifting into a community with expectations of being housed - for free of course!

Our welfare system is keeping these people from progressing.

The lost generation claims are only going to add a continuation to the never ending keeping these people in welfare and bludging off the rest of us invaders that struggle to earn enough to try and get ahead

If I were able to claim Aboriginal status and had some brains in my head, then I would be sitting on a gold mine

I guess a good tan won't do it

 

[2020hindsight]

How is it that saying "sorry" for stealing your kid(s) can end up a discussion about housing in Broome

roland
a) get a heart
b) see a)

 

[roland]

How is it that saying "sorry" for stealing your kid(s) can end up a discussion about housing in Broome

roland
a) get a heart
b) see a)

Because it's all related, this sorry thing is not about sorry, it's about money, it's about compensation with beneficiaries who have an agenda that is politically sensitive

I have different experiences with "stolen children" to some, when I was young (40 years ago) I had a lot of friends in the Dalmar Children's home, Parramatta Home for Children and others. You want to know what, a lot of the "stolen generation" were not black Aboriginals

I have a heart for all, but to encompass this issue into an Aboriginal issue is really starting to grate

 

[2020hindsight]

well just to keep it on thread
what's your opinion of Aussie of the Year.

These kids were stolen - they deserve an apology
Tomorrow we tackle the rest ok?

 

[roland]

well just to keep it on thread
what's your opinion of Aussie of the Year.

mm, well he sings OK - as some have said, it's interesting the Aussie of the Year sings with an Amercian accent, singing American cowboy songs ....

These kids were stolen - they deserve an apology - sure, why not, but don't forget the half casts and other non casts that were involved

Tomorrow we tackle the rest ok?

sounds good to me