The Patrons of Sorry Day are
Chairperson, National Stolen Generations Working Group Among the sponsors of Sorry Day are:
Ms Evelyn Scott, Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation: The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation strongly endorses and fully supports the National Sorry Day. We believe the Australian community must know the true stories behind the 'stolen generations' report. A national Sorry Day will help the Australian community understand the profound impact the forced removal of children has had on every Aboriginal family and community; and understand that we are still living with the damage done by those policies. The Council believes that a formal national apology should have been given. However, in the absence of such an apology, the initiatives of the people's movement to express apologies through the Sorry Books, the internet home page and the national Sorry Day itself greatly encourages Council. The Council will continue its support of the national Sorry Day as an event that allows the Australian people to take responsibility for the past, so we can go on in unity and strive to meet the Council's vision of a united Australia, which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and provides justice and equity for all.
The 'Bringing Them Home' report recommended that a day be set aside to commemorate the history of forcible removal and its effects. Delegates to the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra in December 1997 unanimously supported a resolution expressing regret at these actions and calling on all Councils to make records available and provide assistance to aid the victims of these policies in their grief and rebuilding their families. Many local Councils have already taken initiatives involving their local communities, and Sorry Day will help to focus these activities. The President of the Local Government Association, Councillor Peter Woods, and Commissioners of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) have joined to encourage local councils to support National Sorry Day.ATSIC commissioner Steve Gordon - who is also a councillor on Brewarrina Shire Council - says there is widespread community support for the healing process to begin. ‘Sorry Day allows us to come to terms with our history and with maturity, acknowledge the truth and move together towards a cohesive society,’ he says. LGA President, Councillor Woods, says that 26 May can be an important turning point for all Australians. Both agree that there are many ways in which local councils can support National Sorry Day. ‘Councils can arrange for community ceremonies... Councils can facilitate the signing of Sorry Books, and assist in mounting cultural presentations, theatrical events and other activities developed by local Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.’
The ACTU Executive strongly supports the National Sorry Day. It urges all affiliates
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