For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd

To explain the Stolen Generations to a six year old is challenging. How do you explain the deliberate and forcible removal of up to 50,000 children from their families and communities? How do you explain that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were the focus? Especially when I can’t fully comprehend the actions or the pain felt by those individuals, families and communities myself.

So in trying to help her understand, I simply told my daughter that many years ago children, because they were Aboriginal, were taken away from their mummies and daddies. She thought about this for a moment and said, “If someone tried to steal me I would kick and scream.” - I tell her this is exactly what they did.

On the morning of 13 February 2008 I exercised my parental right to allow her to share in and be a part of Australia’s history. Together we watched and heard the apology of the Prime Minister of Australia. In his own words:

 …Parliament is today here assembled: to deal with this unfinished business of the nation, to remove a great stain from the nation’s soul and, in a true spirit of reconciliation, to open a new chapter in the history of this great land, Australia.

As I listened to Kevin Rudd’s words tears welled in my eyes and I realised how much I also needed this apology. Until that point I hadn’t really understood the power of a collective apology and the deep need for a national recognition of the wrongs that had been done to the first Australians. It was a rite of passage for Australia, and I am so pleased I was able to share this with my daughter.

I also realised how true the decade-old words from the Bringing them Home report were: (www.hreoc.gov.au)

...the past is very much with us today, in the continuing devastation of the lives of Indigenous Australians. That devastation cannot be addressed unless the whole community listens with an open heart and mind to the stories of what has happened in the past and, having listened and understood, commits itself to reconciliation.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read Tom Calma’s full response (www.hreoc.gov.au) to the national apology made on behalf of the National Sorry Day Committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance; the two national bodies that represent the Stolen Generations and their families. Mr Calma is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. In an excerpt he says:

...Today’s actions enable every single one of us to move forward together – with joint aspirations and a national story that contains a shared past and future...

In the weeks that have followed, and the conversations I have shared, I think there is a real sense of hope for the future.

At the Telstra Foundation we want to share in that future. Over the past six years we have committed $8.2million to 89 projects benefiting Indigenous children and young people. When I joined the Telstra Foundation in 2002 I never imagined the amazing opportunities I would be given. I also never fully realised the third world conditions my fellow Australians live in – some within a very short drive from an Australian city.

The issues are overwhelmingly complex. But, we decided that an investment into raising the quality of education for Indigenous kids was a great place to start. The Stronger, Smarter Principals Leadership Program is a key program that the Telstra Foundation is supporting. The program is designed for principals and aspiring leaders in schools with significant numbers of Indigenous students.

The Stronger, Smarter Principals Leadership Program aims to:

• develop leadership capacity to pursue improved educational outcomes for Indigenous students;
• challenge assumptions about school practices that improve outcomes for Indigenous students;
• support the process of school transformation to improve Indigenous student outcomes and engagement in action research and;
• build a critical mass of educational leaders creating positive changes in Indigenous education.

The program runs four times a year and consists of a residential program; school-based initiatives and action research; and publication of articles outlining the impact of these initiatives. Visit the website Stronger Smarter Principals Leadership Program(www.strongersmarter.eq.edu.au) for more information.

By visiting communities, listening to stories, sharing in ceremony, sitting weaving with women, watching kids perform - I am beginning to understand how I can play a part. I no longer see trees, hills and mountain ranges instead I look and wonder what stories and learnings this country tells us. I am blessed that some of the people I have met along the way have become my teachers and friends and are helping me with this discovery.

I can’t begin to imagine how unbearable my life would be if my child was taken from me. I want her to understand the wrongs of the past so that Australia never makes the same mistakes again. I also want her to share in the delights and sorrows of Indigenous Australians.

If you have your own story to share please post a comment.

Until next time, travel saftely.

Georgia


Here are some websites that you may want to explore. There are some terrific activities and events you can get involved in.

The Dreaming Festival – Queensland – 6-9 June 2008
(www.thedreamingfestival.com)

Garma Festival – Northern Territory – 8-12 August 2008
(www.garma.telstra.com)

Koorie Heritage Trust – Melbourne - walks, tours, exhibitions
(www.koorieheritagetrust.com)

Magabala Books – publisher of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander books
www.magabala.com

IAD Press – specialises in Indigenous language, art, history and culture
(www.iad.edu.au)

Blue Mountains Walkabout - NSW
(www.bluemountainswalkabout.com)

Gab Titui Cultural Centre
(www.tsra.gov.au)

Anangu Tours – Northern Territory
(www.anangutours.com.au)

Tiwi Art Tours – Northern Territory – including tours, art gallery
(www.tiwiart.com)

Desert Tracks – Central Australia - tours
(www.deserttracks.com.au)

Aboriginal Art and Craft Gallery - Kings Park Perth - Aboriginal Painting Classes
(www.aboriginalgallery.com.au)

  Please, add to this list.