Many kids still ‘out-of-home’ on Sorry Day

Indigenous communities are urging all Australians to remember the mistreatment of the stolen generations on National Sorry Day.

Wednesday signals the start of National Reconciliation Week and the anniversary of the parliamentary tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in 1997.

The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children from their families and communities must never be repeated and the hardships endured should never be forgotten, the stolen generations Council of NSW and ACT said.

“It is crucial for members of the stolen generations, that have endured so much pain, to be supported in their process of healing,” executive officer Kirrily Jordan said.

“The impact of these past government policies has started a vicious cycle of intergenerational trauma that requires extensive support and assistance.”

The organisation noted that the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care continues to increase and is set to double by 2029.

“Sorry Day is an annual reminder of the injustices committed against Aboriginal peoples by previous governments. Sadly, however, the impact of child removals on Aboriginal families is not a thing of the past.”

The federal government said National Sorry Day “acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture”.

Throughout National Reconciliation Week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet directs the Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown beside the Australian Flag on all government buildings, where possible.