124: an historical apology

We all make mistakes. So from time to time we find ourselves needing to apologize. Today, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a major apology on behalf of his government and previous administrations, for the wrongs inflicted on aborigines and other indigenous populations through the course of Australian history. 'Sorry' has been a long time coming. Forced separation of families and other 'assimilation' policies ended in the 1970s, and since then Australians have taken successive steps towards affirming the rights of aborigines and acknowledging past abuses. But this is the first time the government has made a formal, public apology. Compensation of affected families may yet follow. But, as today's linked article from the NZ Herald points out, history has already been made, today - and a new chapter in Australian nationhood has begun. (Photo from Reuters / NZ Herald. There are videos accompanying the article too.)