Content Warning: This article discusses National Sorry Day and includes themes of forced removals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, which some readers may find distressing.

Today is a day for reflection and acknowledging the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations, who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

The first National Sorry Day was on 26 May 1998, on the one-year anniversary of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report. This comprehensive report, conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, detailed the devastating impact of government policies that led to the forceful removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their homes. It made 54 recommendations; one suggested a National Sorry Day to acknowledge the harm inflicted on the Stolen Generations. Many of the report’s recommendations have either not been implemented or only partially implemented since.

National Sorry Day promotes awareness and educates the wider community about the policies that led to the Stolen Generations and the enduring impacts these policies have had and still have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The day serves as a reminder of Australia’s journey towards reconciliation. It promotes a deeper understanding and respect for the culture, history, and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It is vital for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to be heard. This representation facilitates a better understanding of the unique challenges and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders bring to the table a deep knowledge and appreciation of their culture, creating greater cultural sensitivity within organisations. Their perspectives can contribute to more effective policies, practices, and decision-making processes, especially on matters of importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In our path towards increasing voice, representation and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives within the union, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members started meeting in February 2023 discussing important issues such as:

• cultural safety;
• creating opportunities for members to identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander;
• empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members;
• advocating for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients;
• staffing issues; and
• industrial entitlements around culturally specific issues like “sorry business”, and the Yes for Voice campaign.

The group proposed the initiatives below:

• Forming a statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NSWNMA Branch; and
• Creating two dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions on NSWNMA Council, one each for a nurse and a midwife.

The group also endorsed the Association’s official position on the Voice to Parliament referendum, leading to the launch of the Yes for Voice campaign.

The group continues to meet regularly and further discuss matters of importance. If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and would like to attend, please contact us.  

Want to get involved in the NSWNMA Voice campaign? Sign up to be a Voice Ambassador here.