Tomorrow marks the seventeenth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, who suffered trauma because of past government policies of forced child removal.
Stolen Generations survivors are some of the most vulnerable people in Australia and many chose not to share their stories and experiences.
The Apology is commemorated to keep the spirit of its words and their meaning alive. Commemoration is a part of the healing process. The healing process is ongoing and has expanded as more survivors of the Stolen Generation share their stories.
Some of these stories were revealed 60 years ago on 12 February 1965, when the Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) at the University of Sydney led by Charles Perkins went a bus tour known as the Freedom Ride of western and coastal New South Wales. The Freedom Ride was organised to highlight the extent of racial discrimination in Australia.
The students uncovered racism and segregation. The people they spoke to told them of poor conditions in housing, health and education as well as the daily discrimination they faced.
During the Freedom Ride, the students faced violence as they protested segregated community spaces such as swimming pools, theatres and cafes. The Moree Pool banned First Nations students at certain times.
The media attention from the Freedom Ride increased pressure on the State and Federal Governments to act to support First Nations rights.
Tomorrow as we observe the anniversary of the National Apology, we must not forget our history and the struggles that Australia’s First Nations community endured. By commemorating these events and listening to their stories, we can aid the healing process.
The Queensland State Library has a collection of contemporary stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which can be accessed here.
The Society also has a First Nations Cultural Outreach Strategy (COS) which can be accessed here.
This article was written by Myles Waugh, Solicitor Regulation and member of Culture Champions and Stakeholders Committee
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