National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and our nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country. Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the government, for government actions in the removal of children from their families.

Non-Indigenous Australians say sorry because they feel empathy for the plight of the Stolen Generations, not because it was their fault, but because they acknowledge what happened and the pain it caused and still causes today.