Days of significance 1997-present
There are a number of days of significance in relation to Aboriginal child removals.
The most significant days celebrated annually are the anniversary of the release of the Bringing them Home Report (1997) (5 April) (), the anniversary of Prime Minister Rudd’s National Apology to Australia's Indigenous people (13 February) (), National Sorry Day/National Day of Healing (26 May), and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day (4 August).
Pearson notes the difference between the anniversary of the National Apology and National Sorry Day (). The anniversary of Prime Minister Rudd’s National Apology is commemorated as an acknowledgement of the loss suffered by First Nations Australians and the potential to move forward together.
National Sorry Day is used to acknowledge survivors of the Stolen Generations, reflect on our history as a nation and heal (). The Bringing them Home Report is also often commemorated to mark the passage of time and progress (or lack thereof) since its release.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day was established in 1988 by SNAICC, the national non-governmental peak body which represents First Nations children and families’ interests (). The day is celebrated on 4 August as this is the date which was historically given as a birth date to children who were removed from a young age and did not know their birthdays.
The law and policy in this subject is accurate as of 1 June 2023.