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Tuesday 12 February 2008

RAPID ROUNDUP: Apology to the stolen generation - experts respond

The ‘motion of apology’ to the stolen generation of indigenous Australians will be moved by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd just after 9am AEDT tomorrow. As Australia prepares for tomorrow’s apology, experts in Indigenous health and welfare describe the importance of the apology and its potential impacts.

Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. If you need assistance tracking down an expert, contact the AusSMC on 08 8207 7415.

Dr Amanda Gordon is president of the Australian Psychological Society

“Many people will experience mixed emotion on sorry day. Many people will be happy and relieved that the Australian Government is finally acknowledging the wrongs done, other people are more anxious about it.

It is a fundamental principal that relationships damaged by one party can only really start to heal when the doing of that harm is fully and frankly acknowledged. We know as psychologists how important it is to be acknowledged – it is about excuses, about buck-passing and just saying we acknowledge that bad things were done. It is a turning point.

But when people finally escape from a traumatic experience, as well as relief there can be some negative feelings that emerge. When you think of grief, anger is part of the grieving process. When you think of people who have suffered a big trauma, often anger can be a response. My concern as a psychologist is that people may be re-traumatised. Everyone is garnering their memories, thinking about what happened to them and their families and there is significant risk that people are going to be re-traumatised and that there is going to be an outpouring of grief that is going to feel worse in the short term. The other thing that will happen is a feeling of anti-climax – that we have been working towards this for so long – now so what?

Many non-indigenous Australians will really finally get it, that an apology is needed. The fact that it is coming from their elected representatives, not just political activists, means that for many people the realisation of what was actually done to the stolen generation may just be hitting home. It is really important that if people are traumatised and distressed that they are supported.”

Professor Martha Augoustinos is a social psychologist in the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. She lead a research project in 1997 looking at public attitudes towards an official apology to the stolen generation.

“When we conducted our research ten years ago, a larger proportion of people responded negatively than positively to the idea of a formal apology. This polarisation reflects different understandings in the community about what an apology means, with those against more likely to assume that an apology constitutes acknowledgement of blame and individual accountability. Those in favour of an official apology tend to believe that saying ‘sorry’ is not about blame but about empathy, sympathy and acknowledging past wrongs.

Interestingly, research indicates that collective anger and outrage are more powerful motivating forces than collective guilt to bring about social change.

I believe we must not under estimate the symbolic importance of a formal apology. We know that these kinds of symbolic acts are very important to people’s self-esteem. When you listen to indigenous people speak about this issue you can tell that it has profound meaning for them and will be an important boost to their morale. On the other hand, it is also an important event for non-indigenous Australians because it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our own history and identity.

We frequently view emotion as an individual experience but it is often more powerful when the experience is shared. This apology tomorrow will be an outpouring of emotion by both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.”

Bindi MacGill is currently undertaking a PhD in Indigenous education at Flinders University, Adelaide. She has had wide experience in Indigenous communities and specialises in education.

“The term 'sorry' is significant as it carries symbolic weight for many Indigenous families. ‘Sorry Business’ or ‘Sorry Camp’ occurs when someone dies. Mourners go through a long period of remembering and mourning the dead. After a period of time mourners are able to move to a space of healing. In a similar way, Rudd's 'sorry' gives public recognition to the families and their children who were taken away for over 60 years by those in power at the time. This is a profound opportunity for all Australians to remember and acknowledge this sorry business and to move to a place of healing.”

Reverend Leslie Baird is a Lecturer in Community Organising and Development at Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, Cairns. He managed the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service in Yarrabah from its inception. He is also the Anglican priest in Yarrabah and a certified drug and alcohol counsellor.

“I live in Yarrabah and have been involved in 12 months research here into issues relating to health. In Yarrabah when we consulted with the community we discovered that 80% of people are descendents from the stolen generation. Stemming from the stolen generation times, there is a lot of hurt and pain that comes through at all levels including the individual, family and community and as a result we have the social determinants of health we see today, like alcohol, drugs, domestic violence and sexual abuse. To have an apology is the first step towards healing and reconciliation but it must go further than apology. It must be followed up with compensation. The reason compensation is important is because the government was involved in taking children away from their parents so they are the ones who have to be accountable and they must compensate the people for the losses. When you think about the losses children who have been taken away from their parents suffer, there is confusion, anxiety, loss and grief – it is a human life you are taking away. I hear politicians talking about compensating people through putting money into programs, but that is their idea and this is disempowering for indigenous people. If you want to empower indigenous people, say sorry, but also compensate them directly for their loss.”