Honouring a commitment made prior to the 2007 federal election, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a national apology to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Federal Parliament on 13 February 2008.

The landmark apology came some 11 years after the recommendation for a national apology was made following a national inquiry into the Stolen Generations.

One year on, this watershed moment is worth celebrating. Perhaps more importantly, its also worth reflecting on what the apology means for the next stages of the difficult road ahead ...

From the outset of non-Indigenous occupation of Australia, governments have carried out or sanctioned the removal of Aboriginal children from their families, particularly so-called 'half-cast' children. These 'stolen' children were raised in institutions or fostered out to white families. In most cases they were completely cut off from any contact with their families and culture, under policies of 'assimilation' intended to erase their Aboriginality. Many found themselves used as cheap labour or offered as domestic servants to white families, and many suffered abuse within the families and institutions charged with their care.

In May 1995, the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families was established. The Inquiry's final report, Bringing Them Home, released in May 1997, concluded that in the period from 1910 to 1970, when the practice was at its peak, between 10 and 30 per cent of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

No family was unaffected. Yet the non-Indigenous community has, until recently, been largely ignorant of this history and the trauma it caused. The needs of its victims and their families remained unaddressed. Read more about compensation and the Bringing Them Home report recommendations.

Take action

The National Apology on February 13 was a truly momentous occasion. The healing power of that simple word - sorry - has helped to build a bridge of trust.

Our task now is to make sure that we don't look back on the apology to the Stolen Generations as merely a symbolic gesture, but as the beginning of something far more significant. Sorry is only the first step.

The Stolen Generations survivors should benefit from both a specific, targeted response that comprehensively addresses the recommendations of the Bringing them home report, as well as broader efforts to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy and health status.

Take action and send your elected state and federal representatives an email asking them to implement all the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home report.

Follow your email up with a face-to-face email with your local politician. When you meet, give them a copy of ANTaR's Briefing Note: Responding to the needs of the Stolen Generations (PDF 23k).

Recent key reports

ANTaR's Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry

ANTaR is aware that the Prime Minister and Minister of Indigenous Affairs have previously ruled out compensation for members of the Stolen Generations. However, a government that has already shown compassion and a willingness to listen to and work with Indigenous people to overcome disadvantage should have nothing to fear by reconsidering its position after reviewing additional evidence.

ANTaR submitted this paper (PDF 116k) to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry in April 2008.

The national apology

On 13 February 2008, Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Parliament. Find out more ...

Us Taken-Away Kids

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Bringing them home report, HREOC released a report Us Taken-Away Kids in December 2007.

Commissioner Calma said the ‘Us Taken-Away Kids’ magazine represents artwork and stories from members of the ‘Stolen Generations’ throughout Australia, and serves as a testament to the resilience of Aboriginal people and their ability to triumph in the face of despair.

Bringing Them Home

Bringing Them Home is a report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, published in April 1997.

This report is a tribute to the strength and struggles of many thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by forcible removal. We acknowledge the hardships they endured and the sacrifices they made. We remember and lament all the children who will never come home.

All things considered — a range of opinions

To give you a complete picture about the stolen generations, here's a range of perspectives. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ANTaR, but we think they should be considered and thoughtfully debated.

• Aboriginal foster generation exceeds Stolen Generations - The Australian, 24 November 2008
• PM said sorry - and so said more of us - Sydney Morning Herald, 18 February 2008
• A wonderful start, but compensation? - Professor Peter Read, 9 February 2008
• Much more than a simple gesture - Fiona Stanley, 5 February 2008
• When "sorry" is not enough - Andrew Lynch, 11 January 2008
• One stolen life restored - Jill Singer, 3 August 2007
• Let us reconsider today's treatment of the stolen generation - Father Frank Brennan, 3 August 2007
• Expect more Aboriginal claims: Burnside - The Age, 2 August 2007
• $525,000 for a stolen life - Herald Sun, 2 August 2007

Do you support compensation for the stolen generations ... and why?

We encourage considered, respectful and where necessary provocative debate. Please feel welcome to have your say, and in turn allow others to have their say without responding in anger or distrust.

ANTaR reserves the right to delete any comment that contains offensive, defamatory or discriminatory content. If you feel any of these comments are of this nature, please let us know.