First Nations Department - Curtin Student Guild

Message from the First Nations officer Elicia

National Sorry Day, is a day to acknowledge the strength of the people impacted by the Stolen Generations and to remind us that we can all play a part in the healing process for our country. The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998. It was a response to the “Bringing Them Home Report” which resulted from a Government Inquiry into past policies which led to the removal of children from their families and communities.

Following this on 28 May 2000 about 250,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation between Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Soon after, similar events took place in other cities and towns around Australia. They were the biggest demonstrations of public support for a cause to have taken place in Australia.

People asked where was the apology to the stolen generation? It first came in the clear blue sky above Sydney Harbour Bridge where the word ‘sorry’ was written. Pia van de Zandt and her housemates fundraised and booked a pilot to spread this message. Today, 26 years after the Bringing Them Home report and 12 years since the National Apology, the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children subject to child protection orders (removed) has increased since 2016 (from 5.7% to 7.7%) while the rate of non-Indigenous children who are the subject of child protection orders has stayed steady (at 0.7%).

We cannot fix the problems of the present without accepting the truth of our history. Sorry Day asks us to acknowledge the Stolen Generations and reminds us that historical injustice is still an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Islander families, communities, and peoples. Reconciliation Australia has announced the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is Be A Voice For Generations.

First Nations Room!
Come on in and enjoy this beautiful room with comfy lounges. The equity kitchen is located directly outside this room! With free cereal! This room is for any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students to relax, study, or hang out with friends!

Location: Building 106F (Guild Courtyard sliding door access)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm

Seeking nominations for Aboriginal members EOIs close 30 April 2023

Project Officer | Indigenous Employment Australia | Indigenous Jobs and Opportunities About AACHWA The Aboriginal Arts Hub Centre of Western Australia (AACHWA) is the peak body for Aboriginal art centres in WA. AACHWA advocates on behalf of its members, art centres located in regional and remote Western Australia. AACHWA delivers professional development programs for managers, boards...