Reconciliation with the Indigenous People of Australia

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Reconciliation with the Indigenous People of Australia

Reconciliation is not only an issue for the indigenous people of

Australia, but for every Australian. The a major step in achieving

this is for an official apology to be made by the Australian

Government to indigenous Australians - especially those of the Stolen

Generation. But as with any controversial issue in our society there

are many differing views on the matter, in support and not in support

of such a move. This essay will briefly outline these arguments

subjectively.

Firstly an argument in support of an apology is that such a statement

would be simply recognizing history and accepting the truth – which

some argue is the mature and just act to do. This is because the

government is the sole appropriate body in our society to represent

the Australian people and the people who committed the horrible crimes

many years ago.

I believe the government has a moral obligation to apologize, to show

leadership and initiative in ensuring that no similar situation occurs

ever again. I think that through such an undemanding apology, the

Australian Government is setting a standard for future generations. It

promotes throughout our country and to the world that we live in a

country that delivers importance, rights and equal benefits to our

indigenous people - as does anyone else living in Australia.

I think it is more of an issue now as the latest statistics from the

ABS, reflects the current health and poverty situation for our

indigenous communities – which tells us that since colonization,

indigenous people have been disadvantaged and segregated from the rest

of the Austral...

... middle of paper ...

...enous people of Australia for the harm caused through the stolen

generations. I believe that by ‘saying sorry’, it would be the first

step in making right the wrongs of that past and would bring the

indigenous and non-indigenous people together because the government

would symbolize the Australian people who are prepared to make a

difference. For moral and ethical reasons I think it is the right

thing to do.

Bibliography:

www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/stolen_children.html

www.apology.west.net.au/

www.eniar.org/stolen.html

www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s148775.htm

www.unolympics.com/reconciliation/stolen.shtml

www.alphalink.com.au/~rez/Journey/qna.htm

www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/Stolen.htm

Also includes information from family discussion and personal views on

the issue.

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