12 years ago, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acknowledged the horrific injustices of Australia’s past government policies under which the Stolen Generations were removed from their family, their community and their culture.
He said –
“The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving with confidence to the future”
This was a welcome step towards reconciliation for Stolen Generations survivors and their families. Stolen Generations survivors hoped for a better future for their families.
12 years on, outcomes for the Stolen Generations and their families have not improved. AHMRC research shows lower health, economic and social outcomes for the now aging members of the Stolen Generations[i]. AbSec’s 2019 annual report card shows Aboriginal children in NSW are 11 times more likely to be removed from their families than non-Indigenous children[ii].
Coota Girls commemorates the Apology received by survivors 12 years ago, and continues the fight for a better future for our families.
There are many events happening across the nation to mark the Apology anniversary, a time to stand together, reflect and hope for a brighter future.
Today Coota Girls attended KBHACs Mobile Education Centre Launch at Carriageworks, Eveleigh. We would like to congratulate KBHAC, on there achievements, and also to Coota Girl, Aunty Robyn Lowe for your wonderful speech.
- [i] AMHRC Health Tracker, 2020, Stolen Generations section. [ii] Absec NSW, https://www.absec.org.au/images/downloads/NSW-DCJ-Report-Card-2019-ROGS-2020-120220.pdf, retrieved 13 February 2020.