Aussie dad unleashes at school after his daughter was forced to make a group apology to the Stolen Generation
An Australian father has hit out at his daughter’s school after claiming she was ‘forced to issue a group apology’ to the Stolen Generation as part of activities ahead of National Sorry Day.
Chris Primod criticized the school on Saturday, claiming his seven-year-old daughter told him she and her classmates needed to issue a group apology.
National Sorry Day is observed in Australia on May 26.
It is a day to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the impact of government policies that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations.
“I have no problem with any of my kids learning about it (Stolen Generation), that’s fine,” he said in a video posted to social media.
“What I will not tolerate and what I will not accept is one of my children being forced to apologize for something they had absolutely nothing to do with.”
He sent a direct message to the school, urging them to stop imposing “woke games” on his children.
“Our children are already being welcomed into the country they were born in, and now they are being told they are personally responsible for these horrific events.”
Chris Primod (pictured) criticized his daughter’s school on Saturday, claiming his seven-year-old daughter told him she and her classmates needed to issue a group apology.
Mr Primod’s video kicked off a passionate debate that has left many Australians divided over the issue (Photo: Indigenous Flag)
Many Australians supported the father’s message, claiming teachers were pursuing an agenda.
‘This is terrible. What the hell is wrong with the education system. Australia has lost the plot,” one person wrote.
‘I told my children that they didn’t have to participate in a sorry day at school if they didn’t want to. I explained why and they chose not to participate,” a second added.
‘That’s outrageous, those poor kids probably don’t even understand why they’re apologizing, even though they’re so young. Australia has gone mad,” said a third.
A fourth added: ‘My daughter had to write every apology letter at the age of six! She asked me after school what she had done wrong. Shame on teachers who push their own agenda.’
However, others argued that it is important to recognize and respect First Nations people,
“Welcome and recognition to the province is something you and your children should be proud of when that happens,” one person said.
What Australian children learn
The NSW Department of Education has provided teachers with information about National Day of Sorry, held on May 26, and National Reconciliation Week, which started today.
It said National Sorry Day is “a time to remember past policies of forced child removal and reflect on the sad and painful stories of the stolen generations.”
“It is a time to recognize the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying sorry.
“National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia,” the department said.
Schools across NSW will take part in events and activities throughout the week, including reconciliation walks, smoking ceremonies, assemblies and morning tea with local Aboriginal Elders.
“National Reconciliation Week is a time to learn, reflect and take action to create a more just and inclusive Australia,” said Murat Dizdar, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.
“Together we recognize the unique history, culture and contributions of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
THE STOLEN GENERATION
Thousands of children were forcibly removed by governments, churches and welfare organizations to be raised in institutions, cared for or adopted by non-indigenous families, nationally and internationally. They are known as the Stolen Generations.
The exact number of children taken may never be known, but there are very few families left unaffected; some families include children from three or more generations. The removal of children has severed important cultural, spiritual and family ties and has had a lasting and intergenerational impact on the lives and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It affects 1 in 10 to 1 in 3 children and there is not a single Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community that has not been changed forever.
The first Sorry Day was held on May 26, 1998, to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of the country’s Aboriginal people.
Pictured: A 1934 newspaper clipping advertising Native children for adoption