Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: National Apology Day Anniversary
Monday, 13 February 2023
-
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Braden Hill.
Kaya,
Today marks 15 years since the national apology made by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the Stolen Generations here in Australia.
The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly taken from their families and communities by the Australian government from the late 1800s through to the 1970s. This policy aimed to assimilate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children into white Australian culture, separating them from their community, culture, and identity.
This anniversary is a time for reflection and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as a reminder of the ongoing work towards reconciliation.
As we head toward a referendum on a Voice to Parliament, it is important we collectively recognise the leadership role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have taken to overcome the impacts of intergenerational trauma.
One such example is YOKAI, a human rights initiative developed by the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) and the WA Stolen Generations. YOKAI addresses the needs of individuals and families adversely affected by policies and practices of separating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from their family, community, country, and culture.
At ECU, particularly led by Kurongkurl Katitjin, we remain committed to addressing the ongoing impact of colonisation, racism and other forms of systemic oppression faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through all the work we do.
I encourage all of us in the ECU community to take a moment to reflect on the importance of this day and engage with the considerable body of work out there that explores this important issue.
As a starting point, perhaps find out more about the significance on the national apology, hear stories of survival from those who were stolen and explore the extent to which this impacted the many regions of our continent.
Sincerely,
Professor Braden Hill
Deputy Vice Chancellor Students, Equity and Indigenous