4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day celebrates the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.
In 1988, the first National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day was established on 4 August and was set against the backdrop of protest led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their supporters during the bicentennial year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt a day was needed to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, to give them confidence and make them feel proud and included.
The 4th of August was historically used to communally celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families at a young age, without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations.
Despite a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thriving and growing up strong in their culture, with support from their families and communities, a significant number of children continue to face ongoing challenges, stemming from colonisation and invasion and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, loss and grief, dislocation from Land and culture, and community disempowerment.
For Aboriginal children safety, wellbeing and development are closely linked to the strengths of their connections with family, community, culture, language and country.
9 August: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.
Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognises that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.
In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.
13 August 1997: Anniversary of the Apology to Aboriginal People by the Tasmanian Government
The Tasmanian Government formally apologised to the Stolen Generations on 13 August 1997. The Apology to Aboriginal People was made by the Premier of Tasmania in response to the Bringing Them Home Report.
An Aboriginal elder, Annette Peardon, replied to the apology. This was the first time anywhere in Australia that an Aboriginal person had been invited to address parliament.
In 2006 the Tasmanian Government led the way by becoming the first state or territory to back their apology with action, unanimously passing laws to provide monetary compensation for the Stolen Generations.
