26/05/2026
Today we honour 2 defining moments in Australia’s journey towards justice — National Sorry Day and the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.
Sorry Day calls on us to acknowledge the pain of the Stolen Generations and the ongoing impact on them of being forcibly removed from their families. It also asks us to commit to healing through truth, accountability and respect. The Commission’s landmark 'Bringing them Home' Report published in 1997 detailed the history and trauma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families. This major act of truth-telling revealed that between 10% and 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were taken from their families between 1910 and 1970. It made 54 actionable recommendations to support healing and deliver justice. An audit conducted by the Healing Foundation reveals that only 6% of those recommendations have been implemented in the 29 years since the Inquiry reported.
The anniversary of the 1967 Referendum reminds us of the power of collective action, when Australians voted overwhelmingly to counting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the national census count and giving the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Despite these historic changes, the Constitution remains silent on recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as Australia’s First Peoples.
Together, these moments reflect both how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go.
‘Too many First Nations communities continue to experience inequality, systemic disadvantage and barriers to self-determination,’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said.
‘Honouring these milestones means more than reflection. It means action. We all have a role to play, listening to First Nations voices, supporting truth-telling, and advocating for real, lasting change.’
Find out more about Bringing Them Home here: https://loom.ly/jR-zQ3I
