Apology to Australia's Indigenous people from the Prime Minister

Apologies to Indigenous peoples refer to apologies extended by political leaders or representatives, acting on behalf of a political entity or nation, to acknowledge and express remorse for some historical wrong.

Background

During colonialism, many Western officials have expressed concerns, enacted laws to protect Indigenous peoples, and have punished a few colonial agents for some of their colonial atrocities.[1] Widely known examples are the Laws of Burgos and the New Laws in the Spanish Empire, which were poorly implemented.[2] On occasion, some Indigenous government agencies committed atrocities, as is the case of the Indian Protection Service in Brazil as described in the Figueiredo Report,[3][4] or the Office of Indigenous Affairs in the United States, who acknowledged its systemic shortcomings.[5]

Indigenous groups have publicly requested apologies from a number of states and Christian churches for their historical or contemporary role in atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples.[6][7][8][9] No country has ever voluntarily acknowledged committing genocide.[10]

In 2023 Indigenous leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines issued an open letter. The signed letter requests King Charles III to acknowledge at his coronation the "horrific impacts" of colonization.[11][12][13]

Apologies to Indigenous peoples

Government apologies to Indigenous peoples

In recent decades governments have acknowledged past atrocities or apologized for the policies of previous governments.[14] This has been the case in Argentina,[15] Australia,[16][17][7] Belgium,[18][19][20][21][22] Britain,[23][24][25][26][27] Canada,[7][28][29] California,[30][31] Chile,[7] El Salvador,[7] Germany,[32] Guatemala,[33] Mexico,[34] Netherlands,[35][36] New Zealand,[7][8][37] Norway,[38] and the United States.[7][39][40][41] In their apologies, some state officials do not always agree with scholarly characterization of the atrocities.[42][43]

In the United States, the Apology Resolution of 1993 acknowledged the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in which the Native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims over their national territory.[44][45]

Church apologies to Indigenous peoples

Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church's role in colonization and for "crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America".[46] He has also apologized for the Church's role in the operation of residential schools in Canada,[47] qualifying it as genocide.[48] In 2023, the Vatican rejected the Doctrine of Discovery.[49][50]

In 2022 Justin Welby, the Primate of the Church of England, apologized to the Indigenous peoples in Canada, adding to similar apologies by other churches in Canada such as the Anglican Church of Canada.[51][52]

Other apologies

Scouts Canada has issued an apology for "its role in the eradication of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people for more than a century".[53]

In 2016 the Australian Psychological Society apologized to Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.[54] In 2023, the American Psychological Association issued an offer of apology to First Peoples for more than a century of harmful practices.[55][56]

Criticism of the apologies

Professor Alice MacLachlan has criticized the apologies of the Australian and Canadian governments as they have apologized for specific policies, "avoiding the broader question of apologizing for a much longer history of genocidal appropriation and displacement."[57] Francesca Dominello has said official apologies from Canada and Australia have done little to change the status quo for Indigenous peoples.[58]

Indigenous historian Gary Foley has criticized the Australian government's apology for the Stolen Generations, as there is lack of compensation.[59]

See also

Bibliography

  • Bentley, Tom. (2018) Colonial apologies and the problem of the transgressor speaking, Third World Quarterly, 39:3, 399-417, DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2017.1401922.
  • Corntassel, Jeff, Holder, Cindy. (2008) Who’s Sorry Now? Government Apologies, Truth Commissions, and Indigenous Self-Determination in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, and Peru. Human Rights Rev 9, Pages 465–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-008-0065-3
  • Dominello, Francesca. (2017). Political apologies and their challenges in achieving justice for Indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada. Oñati Socio-Legal Series, 7(2).
  • Lightfoot, Sheryl (2015). Settler-state apologies to Indigenous peoples: A normative framework and comparative assessment. Journal of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, 2(1), 15-39.
  • MacLachlan, Alice (2013). Government Apologies to Indigenous Peoples. In: MacLachlan, A., Speight, A. (eds) Justice, Responsibility and Reconciliation in the Wake of Conflict. Boston Studies in Philosophy, Religion and Public Life, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. Pages 183-203. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5201-6_11
  • Organick, A. G. (2019). Non-Apology in the Age of Apology. Denning LJ, 31, 149.
  • Short, D. (2012). When sorry isn’t good enough: Official remembrance and reconciliation in Australia. Memory Studies, 5(3), 293-304.
  • Rothermund, D. (2011). The Self-consciousness of Post-imperial Nations: A cross-national Comparison. India Quarterly, 67(1), 1–18.
  • Tager, Michael (2014). Apologies to Indigenous Peoples in comparative perspective. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 5(4).

References

  1. ↑ Nettelbeck, Amanda (2019-03-28). Indigenous Rights and Colonial Subjecthood: Protection and Reform in the Nineteenth-Century British Empire. Cambridge University Press. pp. 3, 195–196. ISBN 978-1-108-47175-6.
  2. ↑ Sánchez-Arcilla Bernal, José (2021-09-17). "Las Leyes de Burgos de 1512: una falacia de los Derechos Humanos. Revisión historiográfica". Cuadernos de Historia del Derecho. 28: 41–90. doi:10.5209/cuhd.77969. ISSN 1988-2521. S2CID 240759142. Imposition of a new religion, uprooting from their lands and loss of ownership thereof, restriction of freedom of movement, acculturation... The 'Burgos Laws': a complete fallacy of human rights...
  3. ↑ "Arsen und Zuckerstückchen". Der Spiegel (in German). 1968-03-24. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  4. ↑ Watts, Jonathan; Rocha, Jan (2013-05-29). "Brazil's 'lost report' into genocide surfaces after 40 years". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  5. ↑ Buck, Christopher (2006). ""Never Again": Kevin Gover's Apology for the Bureau of Indian Affairs". Wíčazo Ša Review. 21 (1): 97–126. doi:10.1353/wic.2006.0002. ISSN 0749-6427. JSTOR 4140301. S2CID 159489841.
  6. ↑ Zaru, Deena. "Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous community in Canada over church's role in boarding school abuse". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lightfoot, Sheryl (2015). "Settler-State Apologies to Indigenous Peoples: A Normative Framework and Comparative Assessment". Native American and Indigenous Studies. 2 (1): 15–39. doi:10.5749/natiindistudj.2.1.0015. S2CID 156826767.
  8. 1 2 Cineas, Fabiola (17 January 2023). "New Zealand's Māori fought for reparations — and won". Vox. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  9. ↑ MC, Ali. "Indigenous leaders demand apology, reparations from King Charles". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  10. ↑ Leach, Colin Wayne; Zeineddine, Fouad Bou; Čehajić ‐ Clancy, Sabina (March 2013). "Moral Immemorial: The Rarity of Self-Criticism for Previous Generations' Genocide or Mass Violence". Journal of Social Issues. 69 (1): 34–53. doi:10.1111/josi.12002.
  11. ↑ "Māori Party joins call for King Charles to own up to 'horrific impacts' of colonisation at coronation". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  12. ↑ Butler, Josh (2023-05-03). "Commonwealth Indigenous leaders demand apology from the king for effects of colonisation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  13. ↑ "Commonwealth representatives ask for reparations and apology ahead of coronation". The Independent. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  14. ↑ Blatz, Craig W.; Schumann, Karina; Ross, Michael (2009). "Government Apologies for Historical Injustices". Political Psychology. 30 (2): 219–241. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9221.2008.00689.x. JSTOR 25655387.
  15. ↑ "Sentencia Napalpí". Argentina.gob.ar (in Spanish). 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  16. ↑ "Official Australian Government Website – Sorry Day and the Stolen Generation". Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  17. ↑ "'Keating told the truth': Stan Grant, Larissa Behrendt and others remember the Redfern speech 30 years on". The Guardian. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  18. ↑ "Belgian king expresses 'deepest regrets' for wounds inflicted in Congo". euronews. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  19. ↑ "Belgian king expresses regrets for colonial abuses". BBC News. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  20. ↑ Picheta, Rob (1 July 2020). "Belgium's King sends 'regrets' to Congo for Leopold II atrocities – but doesn't apologize". CNN. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "Belgium apology for mixed-race kidnappings in colonial era". BBC News. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  22. ↑ Schreuer, Milan (4 April 2019). "Belgium Apologizes for Kidnapping Children From African Colonies". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  23. ↑ Dixon, Robin (6 June 2013). "British government apologizes for colonial abuses in Kenya". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  24. ↑ "Prince Charles acknowledges UK role in horror of slave trade". Reuters. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  25. ↑ "Prince William expresses sorrow for slavery in Jamaica visit". AP NEWS. 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  26. ↑ Furness, Hannah (2021-11-30). "Atrocity of slavery stains our history, Prince Charles tells Barbados as it ends royal rule". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  27. ↑ Hogan, Patrick (2023-11-01). "King Charles acknowledges Kenya's colonial-era suffering but stops short of apologizing". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  28. ↑ "Text of Stephen Harper's residential schools apology". CTVNews. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  29. ↑ "Trudeau apologizes to Newfoundland residential school survivors left out of 2008 apology, compensation". thestar.com. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  30. ↑ Cowan, Jill (June 19, 2019). "'It's Called Genocide': Newsom Apologizes to the State's Native Americans". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Governor Newsom Issues Apology to Native Americans for State's Historical Wrongdoings, Establishes Truth and Healing Council". California Governor. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  32. ↑ "Germany apologizes for colonial-era genocide in Namibia". Reuters. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  33. ↑ Corntassel, Jeff; Holder, Cindy (2008-12-01). "Who's Sorry Now? Government Apologies, Truth Commissions, and Indigenous Self-Determination in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, and Peru". Human Rights Review. 9 (4): 465–489. doi:10.1007/s12142-008-0065-3. S2CID 53969690.
  34. ↑ "Mexico marks end of last Indigenous revolt with apology". AP NEWS. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  35. ↑ "Dutch PM Mark Rutte apologises for country's role in the slave trade". euronews. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  36. ↑ Sterling, Toby (2023-07-01). "King apologises for Netherlands' historic role in slavery". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  37. ↑ Roy, Eleanor Ainge; Jong, Eleanor de (2020-02-14). "After more than 150 years, New Zealand recognises 'extinct' Moriori people". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  38. ↑ "King apologizes for minority repression". Chicago Tribune. 1997-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  39. ↑ "Jan. 17, 1893 | Hawaiian Monarchy Overthrown by America-Backed Businessmen". The Learning Network. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 2023-03-28. In 1993, Congress issued an apology to the people of Hawaii for the U.S. government's role in the overthrow and acknowledged that 'the native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims to their inherent sovereignty'.
  40. ↑ "A sorry saga: Obama signs Native American apology resolution; fails to draw attention to it | Indian Law Resource Center". indianlaw.org. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  41. ↑ Gover, Kevin (2000). "Remarks of Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs: Address to Tribal Leaders". Journal of American Indian Education. 39 (2): 4–6. JSTOR 24398427.
  42. ↑ Davidson, Helen (22 September 2014). "John Howard: there was no genocide against Indigenous Australians". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  43. ↑ Thompson, Janna (May 2009). "Apology, historical obligations and the ethics of memory". Memory Studies. 2 (2): 195–210. doi:10.1177/1750698008102052. S2CID 145294135.
  44. ↑ "Nations try saying, 'We're sorry'; Trend: Increasingly, leaders are apologizing for horrendous wrongs committed by earlier generations". Baltimore Sun. 2000-05-07. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  45. ↑ Trask, Haunani-Kay (2000). "Native Social Capital: The Case of Hawaiian Sovereignty and Ka Lahui Hawaii". Policy Sciences. 33 (3/4): 375–385. doi:10.1023/A:1004870517612. ISSN 0032-2687. JSTOR 4532510. S2CID 152872242.
  46. ↑ Yardley, Jim; Neuman, William (10 July 2015). "In Bolivia, Pope Francis Apologizes for Church's 'Grave Sins'". The New York Times.
  47. ↑ "Pope apologizes for 'catastrophic' school policy in Canada". AP NEWS. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  48. ↑ "Pope Francis: It was a genocide against indigenous peoples – Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-30. It's true, I didn't use the word because it didn't come to my mind, but I described the genocide and asked for forgiveness, pardon for this activity that is genocidal. For example, I condemned this too: taking away children, changing culture, changing mentality, changing traditions, changing a race, let's put it that way, an entire culture. Yes, genocide is a technical word. I didn't use it because it didn't come to my mind, but I described it... It's true, yes, yes, it's genocide. You can all stay calm about this. You can report that I said that it was genocide.
  49. ↑ "Vatican rejects doctrine that fueled centuries of colonialism". AP NEWS. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  50. ↑ "Raising banner, protesters raise questions about 'Doctrine of Discovery'". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  51. ↑ Sanders, Leanne (2 May 2022). "'I am ashamed, I am horrified': Archbishop of Canterbury expresses remorse over church's role residential schools". APTN News.
  52. ↑ Bush, Peter G. (2015). "The Canadian Churches' Apologies for Colonialism and Residential Schools, 1986–1998". Peace Research. 47 (1/2): 47–70. JSTOR 26382582.
  53. ↑ Pimentel, Tamara (October 5, 2023). "Scouts Canada issues apology for role in 'historical harm' on Indigenous Peoples". Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) News.
  54. ↑ Dudgeon P, Carey TA, Hammond S, et al. The Australian Psychological Society’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Going beyond the Apology in the Teaching and Training of Psychologists. In: Rubin NS, Flores RL, eds. The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Human Rights. Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2020:553-567. doi:10.1017/9781108348607.038
  55. ↑ "An apology to Indigenous communities sparks a mental health rethink". 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  56. ↑ American Psychological Association, APA Indigenous Apology Work Group. (2023). "Report on an Offer of Apology, on behalf of the American Psychological Association, to First Peoples in the United States" (PDF). www.apa.org. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  57. ↑ MacLachlan, Alice (2013). Government Apologies to Indigenous Peoples. In: MacLachlan, A., Speight, A. (eds) Justice, Responsibility and Reconciliation in the Wake of Conflict. Boston Studies in Philosophy, Religion and Public Life, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. Page 189. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5201-6_11
  58. ↑ Dominello, Francesca (2017). "Political apologies and their challenges in achieving justice for indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada". Oñati Socio-legal Series. 7 (2): 277–303. ISSN 2079-5971.
  59. ↑ Grewcock, Michael (2018). "Settler-Colonial Violence, Primitive Accumulation and Australia's Genocide". State Crime Journal. 7 (2): 222–250. doi:10.13169/statecrime.7.2.0222. ISSN 2046-6056. [Rudd] could have been a lot more honest and taken the opportunity to make it an apology to all Aboriginal people of Australia accompanied by some offer of reconciliation – a meaningful offer in terms of reparation and compensation...
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