National Sorry Day is held in Australia on 26 May each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations. 

A proud Jaru woman and a descendent of the Stolen Generation, it is undoubtedly a significant date in Fremantle AFLW midfielder Jasmin Stewart’s calendar.

The 21-year-old’s great grandmother was a part of the Stolen Generation which left a significant impact on her great grandmother and the generations that followed.

Earlier this year, Stewart spoke candidly in front of her AFLW teammates and coaching staff in a cultural awareness session at the club.

Stewart joined Fremantle’s Indigenous and Multicultural Liaison Officer Michael Johnson and board member Colleen Hayward in sharing stories about their Aboriginal heritage.

“My great grandmother Daisy was taken from her family when she was two years old,” Stewart said

“She was taken to Moola Bulla station near Wyndham and after that shut down when she was about ten, she never saw her mum again.

“My great grandmother went on to have 11 children, one of which is my grandfather. 

“She has 42 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and six great grandchildren and I am so incredibly lucky to be one of her great grandchildren. 

“She is a very powerful woman and a well-respected elder of the Jaru tribe.”

Fremantle’s AFLW team wore its first ever Indigenous jumper in round three this year against Collingwood at Fremantle Oval, with Stewart playing a key role in its planning and design.

At the top of the jumper is a hibiscus flower, which is known as the National Sorry Day Flower.

The Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation have given Fremantle permission to use the flower in the Indigenous jumpers across Freo’s men’s and women’s teams.

Stewart said it meant a lot to see Fremantle continue to acknowledge the Stolen Generation.

“It’s so important to continue the tradition of having the Sorry Day flower on the women’s jerseys,” Stewart said. 

“My Nanna was a part of the Stolen Generation and she’s been a part of the guard of honour for Fremantle’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round games for a number of years now.

“I feel grateful to have her background feeding my knowledge of my culture, and it’s an honour to be able to share her story.”  

This story is supported by Woodside, our proud Indigenous Program Partner