1. The Aborigines had been left completely to themselves until 1788. At this time, the English arrived on the continent and started introducing their very different ways. The British then used Australia as a prison colony, with very little regard for the Aboriginal people that had been living there the entire time.
2. The white Australians lived with very little regard for those who had lived there first. Upon their arrival, the English harmed Aboriginal culture through everything they brought with them. The British brought a variety of diseases to Australia, many of which killed some of the Aboriginal people. The natural landscapes of the Aborigines' sacred land was torn apart. Even though the natives were there first, the whites placed restrictions on what the Aborigines could and couldn't do. As time continued to go on, the white Australians began to start taking the children (the Stolen Generation). The evil acts committed by the whites demonstrate how cruelly the native peoples were treated.
3. The stolen generation was the group of indigenous children that were removed from the Aboriginal families. The Australian government made a policy to remove these children and make them become part of the "broader society." This was done without parental consent and without a court order.
4. Being part of the stolen generation could greatly alter an Aboriginal child's entire life. From the time they were taken, they were taught to become "white" and turn their backs on their ancestry. These stolen children were taken away from their families and given to white families to convert them to white lifestyles. As time went on, these children would eventually become servants rather than be able to accept their heritage.
5. Australia is still feeling the effects of the poor treatment of the Aborigines; a major part of Australian history and culture is being missed out on. The heritage of the natives has been, and continues to be, somewhat suppressed in Australia (though efforts are being made to preserve it). Another issue is that the Aborigines do not feel like they have seen true sorrow and a true apology. Though the government issued a statement of regret, the Stolen Generation and the Aboriginal people want a statement of apology that shows they truly, from the heart, are sorry. Another crucial issue is that when current Aborigines have children, they have no idea how to raise there children, who are in turn taken by welfare programs. The negative treatment of the Aborigines continues to harm Australia.
6. The Prime Minister has every duty and obligation to issue a formal apology to the Aboriginal people. By refusing to do so, he is depriving Australia of the opportunity for internal peace. The Aborigines want nothing more than to hear a real apology from the Australian government for the crimes of the past. Because of what they did in the past, the government prevented Australia from developing a key part of its history and culture. All aspects of Aboriginal life were suppressed and prevented from reaching their full potential. In addition, the Prime Minister has the duty to apologize to allow for true unity and peace within the country. The Australian government hurt them to a point where they were being killed and their culture suppressed. The only true way the Australians can let themselves be forgiven starts with the Prime Minister.
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