| "Almost half of the Aboriginal people who died in custody and were investigated by the Black Deaths Royal Commission, had been removed from their families as children..." - Kirsten Garrett, Background Briefing, Sunday, 11 February 1996 |
24763 undersigned people of Australia, believe an apology is owed to those of our fellow citizens who were separated from their families as a direct result of government policy. We offer that apology. |
"They would not let us kiss our father goodbye, I will never forget the sad look on his face.
He was unwell and he worked very hard all his life as a timber-cutter. That was the last time I saw my father, he died within two years after." -
Jennifer
Bringing them Home - Full report |
Your name will not be used for any purpose other than inclusion in this list. Your email address will not be used other than to send an automatic reply acknowledging your apology.
You must provide a real email address or your name will not be added to the list. If you are using somebody else's account to add your name, please give that address.
Please ask others you know to participate too. Those without web access can email their name, address and post code to apology@west.net.au
Imagine too, the fear of a young child taken away from familiar places.
An apology says "This should not have happened; this should never happen again". It doesn't say "I was there and let it happen; I am guilty". It says instead "I want my peers and descendants to know I am aware of these wrongs and am doing something to redress, in part, some of them".
This will not heal the wounds but will, at least, give hope that, through our standing up as a community, it won't happen again. I'm sure it would comfort you too, if that had happened to you.
Please reconsider. Open your heart and, in an act of generosity, apologise to this generation of stolen children and, symbolically, to all who have suffered in this way.
How fortunate are we who don't need an apology.