Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations

13 February

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with particular recognition of the Stolen Generations. The anniversary honours survivors and families and invites reflection on the work that must follow an apology.

What the Apology acknowledged

The Apology recognised the harm caused by laws and policies that separated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities, cultures and Country. It acknowledged suffering across generations and was a formal act of recognition in the Australian Parliament.

These experiences are not one uniform story. Survivors and descendants hold different memories, needs and perspectives. The anniversary should create room for those voices without expecting anyone to share personal or family experiences.

From acknowledgement to action

A national apology was among the recommendations of the Bringing them home inquiry. Its delivery in 2008 was a significant moment, but acknowledgement did not complete the responsibilities identified by the report. Healing, access to records, family connections and appropriate support remain central concerns.

The Healing Foundation’s survivor-informed work connects remembrance with practical priorities. Its From Sorry to Action plan for 2026–2028 identifies work on health, wellbeing, records, redress, education and the organisations supporting survivors. Read current survivor-led analysis alongside the parliamentary record rather than treating the speech as the end of the story.

Reflecting on the anniversary

A school or workplace can begin with the Apology’s full wording and the historical context that made it necessary. Consider what responsibility means for institutions as well as individuals, and ask how commitments can be translated into sustained action.

Choose resources with care, preview sensitive material and make participation in personal discussion optional. Do not ask children to imagine being taken from their families or invite survivors to speak without agreed support, payment and control over the use of their words. An invitation to listen should respect a person’s right to decline.

The date is distinct from National Sorry Day on 26 May, which first took place in 1998 following the tabling of Bringing them home. Both dates can support learning across the year, with 13 February specifically marking the 2008 Apology.

Sources and further reading

The resources below provide historical records, First Nations perspectives and pathways for further learning. Some historical material contains names and images of deceased people, outdated language or distressing content. Follow the guidance provided by each publisher.

Online sources and longer reading

National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The Healing Foundation. Survivor-centred background on the Apology and its anniversary.
https://www.healingfoundation.org.au/stolen-generations/national-apology-to-the-stolen-generations/

Since 13 February 2008. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Government background confirming the date and significance of the Apology.
https://www.pmc.gov.au/news/13-february-2008

Bringing Them Home. Australian Human Rights Commission. The inquiry, report, testimonies and education resources behind the call for an apology.
https://humanrights.gov.au/bringing-them-home/index.html

From Sorry to Action. The Healing Foundation. A longer reading pathway into current survivor-informed priorities and accountability.
https://healingfoundation.org.au/what-we-do/from-sorry-to-action/

Our related products and resources

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