The Stolen GenerationThe Stolen Generation

By Yoana and KyamBy Yoana and Kyam

What was it?

• A period of time, between 1910 to 1970 in which Aboriginal children were taken away from there parents.

• The removal started in South Australia.

• It was made legal by the Aboriginal Protection Board (APB) in 1909.

• The main children targeted were “half-castes” – children of both black and white descent.

• Children taken were either fostered out to white families or raised in institutions.

Why did it happen?• The main purpose was to eliminate

Aboriginality from Australia.

• It was thought that it would be much easier to change the behaviour of children then it would be for adults.

• People hoped to end the Aboriginal Culture and get rid of the ‘Aboriginal problem’.

Jennifer’s Story• She came from a pure aboriginal family.

• A local policeman claimed Jennifer and her sister, Kate were being neglected on November 1952.

• Both of the girls were sent to Cootamundra Home in New South Wales until they were later adopted by a white family.

• The abuse and neglect continued until December 1957 when they finally returned home.

Bringing them homeBringing them home

• Bringing them home Bringing them home was a report written by the Human Rights and was a report written by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in 1997.Equal Opportunity Commission in 1997.

• It included hundreds of Stolen Generation victim’s stories.It included hundreds of Stolen Generation victim’s stories.

• The report found that the removal of Aboriginal children had been a The report found that the removal of Aboriginal children had been a failure.failure.

The apology

• The Howard Government expressed there grief in relation to the Stolen Generation but refused to apologise as a nation.

• On the 13th of February, 2008 when the Rudd government made a formal apology.

Compensation

• The Government refused to compensate the Aboriginals of the Stolen Generation.

• To this day, still very few Aboriginals have received compensation.

• The first compensation was granted in South Australia to Bruce Trevorrow.

Link-up services• Part of the Bringing them home

report, proved that many victims were left physiologically traumatised.

• Due to this evidence, the victims were provided with helpful services that help them track down their families.

• Grief and loss counselling, and relationship building is also provided.

Bibliography

• http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/stolen-generations.html#ixzz0o9iGBFng

• http://www.racismnoway.com.au/classroom/factsheets/52.html

• They Took the Children by David Hollinsworth

• Issues in Society-The Stolen Generations by The Spinney Press