The Stolen Generations © Karen Devine 2008

The Stolen Generations Due to the Cth Aborigines Protection Act of 1907, many Aboriginal children were removed from their families between 1910 and 1970.

The Stolen Generations Up to 100,000 Aboriginal children were taken forcibly. Most were under 5 years of age. Most were raised in church or state institutions. Some were fostered or adopted by white parents.

The Stolen Generations In their new homes they: Suffered physical and sexual abuse. Suffered poor food and living conditions. Received little education Were expected to work Were banned from speaking their native language.

The Stolen Generations The main reason for this policy was to ‘assimilate’ Aboriginal children with “white Australia”. Parents were not told where their children were and could not trace them.

The Stolen Generations The children were told that they were orphans. Most grew up without family ties or cultural identity. As adults, many suffered insecurity, lack of self esteem, depression, suicide, abuse of alcohol and drugs.

The Stolen Generations Lacking a parental model, many had difficulty bringing up their own children. The scale of separation also had consequences for the whole Aboriginal community – such as a distrust of government, police and officials. A National Inquiry was set up in 1995 into the Stolen Generation. Its 1997 Report ‘Bringing them Home’ contained alluded to it as an act of genocide.

Sorry It is only in February 2008 that the new Rudd Labor Government has finally said “sorry” to the generations of Aboriginals who suffered the atrocity of the 1907 Policy.

Comment on the following slides. What do these slides tell us about the history of Aboriginal Policy in Australia?