National Apology Day 2025: Acknowledging the past and moving forward together
February 13, 2025, marks the 17th anniversary of the National Apology delivered to the Stolen Generations in 2008: a moment of truth-telling that acknowledged the pain, trauma, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Acknowledging the past
The Apology acknowledged the profound suffering and loss caused by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation. Across Australia, the stories are the same: children removed by governments and missionaries and placed in institutions or adopted by white families, often used as cheap labour, and families living in fear of their children being taken.
For us, this day is about honouring those who lived through these policies and ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
Understanding the present
The journey to the National Apology began with the Bringing Them Home report, which was the result of an inquiry conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in 1995. This report was a landmark document that brought to light the injustices faced by the Stolen Generations and laid the groundwork for ongoing efforts towards reconciliation and healing. The Apology was a moment of national reflection, and a commitment to addressing the impacts of these policies.
It is essential that we continue to remember and reflect. The Bringing Them Home report made 54 recommendations [1], and we still have a long way to go in terms of seeing these recommendations fully implemented in a consistent way across the country. Our policies and systems have not yet reached a point where they are providing the support needed to support a prosperous future for all First Nations people – whether in education, housing, health, or social justice.
In some areas, policies and processes show little or no improvement. The Federal Government’s Closing the Gap dashboard [2] shows that nationally in 2023, 43.7% of children aged 0-17 years in out-of-home care were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This was an increase of 3.7 percentage points since 2019. An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is 10 times more likely to be removed compared to the general population. In Queensland, the recently introduced ‘adult crime, adult time’ policy is a step backwards, ignoring the evidence from experts who are clear that such policies are ineffective in reducing crime, and putting Queensland in direct violation of international human rights standards [3].
February 13th is a reminder of how far we still have to go in achieving real healing and justice.
Moving forward together
At the Stronger Smarter Institute we are continuing to ensure we are at the forefront of this journey to drive positive change and support the healing journey of Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants.
Through our Stronger Smarter programs, we continue to empower educators and communities to create transformative change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational outcomes. We continue to emphasise High Expectations Relationships, foster a sense of pride in culture and promote excellence in schools. We continue to work for a future where every child thrives in a Stronger Smarter classroom.
Let’s keep moving forward together, with respect, truth, and unity.
Find out More
If you would like to know more about how the Stronger Smarter Approach and High Expectations Relationships can support a process of moving forward towards justice and unity
- Visit our Webpage to learn more
- Join a Stronger Smarter Program.
[1] Bringing them Home Report recommendations.
