In May 1997, after an enquiry lasting three years, the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission's report, titled Bringing Them Home, was tabled in the Federal Parliament.(Ref: www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/index.html)
The enquiry had been looking into past government practices of removing 'half-caste' Aboriginal children from the care of their parents and placing them with Foster Parents or in Children's Homes.
These children have become known as the Stolen Generations.
The Commissioners took evidence from hundreds of former 'stolen children' around Australia, and of the effect the government policy had had on their lives.
The Report contains 54 recommendations - one recommendation was that there should be a national day commemorating those stolen,so a National Sorry Day Committee was formed and planning began for the first Sorry Day which was held on May 26, 1998.
The release of the report coincided with the Australian Reconciliation Convention and immediately stimulated a call for the Government to say 'Sorry' to the Stolen Generations, a call which the Prime Minister, John Howard, refused to heed.
The highlighting of this dreadful chapter in Australia's history touched the hearts of many Australians and thousands of people signed the Sorry Books which were produced by Australians for Native Title. It also awoke people to the need to reach out to Indigenous people and find ways to assist in a healing process. e.g. providing opportunities for those affected to tell their stories in a safe place.
Thus, this dimension of the reconciliation process also became incorporated into the activities organised by groups within local communities.