Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director of Indigenous Strategy (far right) and Walanga Muru staff members, pictured with a copy of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation owned by Cultural Adviser, Sue Pinckham.
Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director of Indigenous Strategy (far right) and Walanga Muru staff members, pictured with a copy of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation owned by Cultural Adviser, Sue Pinckham.

Features

Eight years on from the National Apology to the Stolen Generations

 

Jennifer Gili is a Project Officer in Walanga Muru – the Office of Indigenous Strategy. Here she reflects on a remarkable event and its significance to Indigenous Australians.

“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and their families left behind, we say sorry”.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, National Apology to the Stolen Generations, 13 February 2008

Saturday marked eight years since Kevin Rudd delivered the powerful and long-awaited apology to the Indigenous Australian Stolen Generations. This landmark apology was part of an international movement that saw a number of governments apologise to people who were the victims of forced removals, enslavement and genocide.

The effects of these policies are still felt by all Indigenous Australians including staff and students of our University. Many of our staff and students are related to members of the stolen generation and the apology has a significant place in their past and future. Walanga Muru would like to highlight the significance of the apology to Indigenous Australians

In 2016, we are inviting staff to contribute stories – in their own voice – for publishing in This Week. These stories will celebrate the diversity, passion and collaborative spirit of Macquarie staff.