Anniversary of the ACT’s Apology to the Stolen Generations

Date: 17 June 1997

Cultural sensitivity: This article discusses the Stolen Generations and the forced removal of children. Please read with care.

What happened on this date

On 17 June 1997, the ACT Legislative Assembly unanimously supported a motion apologising for the hurt and distress inflicted on Ngunnawal and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the separation of children from their families. Chief Minister Kate Carnell moved the motion following the release of the Bringing Them Home report.

This was the ACT’s own parliamentary apology. It preceded the Australian Parliament’s national apology of 13 February 2008 and should be understood as a distinct territorial response to the Stolen Generations.

Listening to the people affected

The apology was followed by an important opportunity for community members to speak directly to the Assembly. On 26 August 1997, Agnes Shea, John Williams-Mozley, Yvonne Mills, Maureen Bates-McKay, Caine Gorge and Graham Mundine addressed members from the Bar of the House.

Their contributions brought experiences of separation, family, cultural identity and government responsibility into the parliamentary record. The Assembly’s words and the community’s responses belong together when learning about this history.

Why this date matters

This anniversary offers a way to recognise the Stolen Generations in the ACT and surrounding region without treating the national apology as the only acknowledgement. It also invites reflection on the difference between a formal apology and the sustained action needed to support families, healing and self-determination.

For schools and workplaces, begin with the community speeches and the parliamentary motion. Discuss whose voices are heard, what responsibilities an apology carries, and how organisations can listen respectfully today. Nobody should be asked to share personal or family experiences of removal in order to make a learning activity meaningful.

Sources and further reading

• First Australians and the Assembly — ACT Legislative Assembly
• Community representatives’ addresses, 26 August 1997 — ACT Hansard

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this date. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.