Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt today attended a community event at the Perth Cultural Centre to mark the 10th anniversary of the Australian Government’s National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
The event was a collaboration between Yokai (Healing Our Spirit), Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
The apology was a defining moment in Australian history and acknowledged the injustices and impact of past government policies, particularly the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.
It was a national act of reconciliation that provided new understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community, and laid the foundations to build a shared future.
It is estimated that in the 60 years prior to 1970, between 10 and 30 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children nationwide were forcibly removed from their families.
The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the past mistreatment of Stolen Generations members, their families and their communities, and focus on what still needs to be done to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous Australians.