One of the reasons I was so happy about yesterday's apology is that it has been a long time coming. Publicly acknowledging the past was a key recommendation from the Bringing them home inquiry in 1997. I've just found this webpage via the wonderful powers of google. It's a march I went to in Brisbane in 2000 in support of a national apology. I went by myself because all my friends were either studying (I was still an undergrad student then) or working but I was really happy I attended, because it felt right to be peacefully walking with 50,000 people in support of reconciliation.*

In the subsequent years I felt we were drifting further and further away from any positive outlook on reconciliation. This is why the apology and plans for change of yesterday were powerful and positive for so many Australians (and it's been great to see so many blogging about the event!).

*And, wow, look at that winter weather. We're wearing t-shirts. *sniffs sadly*