Some would have you believe that saying sorry to the Aborigines of Australia is complex. It's actually quite simple. Here's the facts: this nation was founded on the dispossession of Aboriginal people. It started with the theft of land. It continued with the abduction of people. It's impact is still being felt today, with disparate life expectancies, incomes, levels of imprisonment and more.
Some would have you believe that undoing this disadvantage is simple. That there's no need to consult with indigenous people or experts when designing an 'intervention'. That if you're macho enough when you approach some of these problems, you'll get quick positive results. They're wrong. This is the complex side of the equation. The part that involves listening
and thinking
and acting.
On the back of its landmark apology, the Rudd government simply must get the policy right. Here, the Rudd mantra of "evidence based policy" is critical.
For those of you who want to be part of Wednesday's landmark apology, there are several options. Of course, members of the Stolen Generation are travelling to Canberra to be part of the gallery. Closer to home, the City of Sydney is
erecting a screen in Martin Place and
promoting activities in Redfern. And for those of us who live too much of our lives online, Wednesday is the day to change our Facebook status to "...is sorry".
