The University of Tasmania has apologised to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people

The University of Tasmania has deliver a “long overdue” apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

The plaque marking the University of Tasmania’s formal apology to Tasmania’s Aboriginal people. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THE University of Tasmania has formally apologised for its role in the wrongdoings committed against Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Chancellor Michael Field and Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black delivered the apology this morning outside the original UTAS campus – Domain House – in front of a large crowd that included Aboriginal elders, staff and students.

“For too long, the histories we taught hid the true story of war and genocide and the denial of human rights,” Prof Black said.

“Universities, above all else, are committed to the truth, however uncomfortable, and we didn’t teach it.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black­ acknowledging the wrongdoings committed by the University of Tasmania against the Aboriginal community. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Distinguished Professor Maggie Walter, Pro Vice-Chancellor Aboriginal of Leadership and Research, introduced the event.

She said it was as a momentous yet overdue act, but deserving of pride.

“This is an historic occasion for the University, for palawa [Tasmanian Aboriginal people] and for Tasmania,” Prof Walter said.

“I feel pride in the leadership this University – my University, your University and our University – has shown through its willingness to start the long overdue process of truth telling.”

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The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the apology came late.

“Here we are in the 21st century; apologies have been too long in coming and that’s unacceptable,” he said.

“We’ve come to put that right today.

“We can’t change the past [but] we can apologise, and in the actions that follow, bear witness to the sincerity of what we say.”

Chancellor Michael Field AC made the formal apology before a plaque was unveiled marking the historic statement.

“The University of Tasmania acknowledges the deep wrongs committed against the palawa people in our name and unreservedly apologises for them,” Chancellor Field said.

“Palawa presence will be forever imprinted on these lands and waterways.”

Prof Black then repeated the apology in palawa kani – the Tasmanian Aboriginal language.

Chancellor Michael Field AC delivers the formal apology. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Prof Walter said the importance of the apology lay in the dark story beneath the beauty of the country that, for 2000 generations, has been connected with palawa people.

“This beautiful place also has a dark story,” she told the crowd.

“In another part of Australia during a welcome to country, we would include an acknowledgment of the elders, present and future, of the muwinina people (Hobart Aboriginal people).

“We can’t do that here. Why? Because as far as we know, there are no living descendants of the muwinina.

“Our ability to celebrate Aboriginal deep time is constrained by the many, many wrongs committed against palawa people from colonial times onwards.

“In many cases, these wrongs were sanctioned or even committed by the institutions of the state.

“One of these institutions was the University of Tasmania.”

Theresa Sainty gave the welcome to country, and said an apology was just the start.

“I want to say that it’s fantastic that this is happening, that there is an apology that’s about to be given, and remind UTAS that the apology is just the beginning,” Ms Sainty said.