Canberra

Some photos of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations 13 February 2008:

Muriel Bamblett AM, Chairperson of SNAICC, welcomed the National Apology to the Stolen Generations in her press release 13 February 2008

The photos and short story below are by SNAICC staff member Rosie Elliott. The photos start at the Canberra Tent Embassy Smoking Ceremony (8am) and on to the gathering in front of Parliament House to watch the parliamentary apology telecast.

"We came up from Melbourne to see the apology. We arrived at the Tent Embassy early, took some photos of those gathering, including the many young people, and joined the Smoking Ceremony, presided over by Isobel Coe. She remembered all those who had gathered around this Tent Embassy fire over many years.

'This is a sad day for many of us,' said Isobel to those gathered around. 'It's got to stop now, our kids being taken away to jails and institutions. We need our Aboriginal sovereignty recognised.'

But as well as the sadness, there was joy and hope. And tears. We were proud to take the SNAICC banner out on the short march from the Tent Embassy to be part of the unfolding events."

[Isobel Coe was a founding member of SNAICC . She remained on the SNAICC executive for around 15 years and has long been associated with the Tent Embassy. Isobel painted the 1995 SNAICC National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day poster with the slogan Never Again – Break the Chains.]