The experiences of the children taken from their families varied widely. The following quotes are from children of the Stolen Generation who are now adults reflecting on their childhood experiences and the long term aftermath of being forcibly removed from their homes and families. In respect of Aboriginal culture and personal privacy no names have been included and the following were submitted under confidential submission..
"I was very fortunate that when I was removed, I was with very loving and caring parents. The love was mutual ... I know my foster parents were the type of people that always understood that I needed to know my roots, who I was, where I was born, who my parents were and my identity ... I remember one day I went home to my foster father and stated that I had heard that my natural father was a drunk. My foster father told me you shouldn't listen to other people: `You judge him for yourself, taking into account the tragedy, that someday you will understand'. " - South Australia - Woman fostered at 4 years in the 1960s.
"My mother and brother could speak our language and my father could speak his. I can't speak my language. Aboriginal people weren't allowed to speak their language while white people were around. They had to go out into the bush or talk their lingoes on their own. Aboriginal customs like initiation were not allowed. We could not leave Cherbourg to go to Aboriginal traditional festivals. We could have a corroboree if the Protector issued a permit. It was completely up to him. I never had a chance to learn about my traditional and customary way of life when I was on the reserves." - Queensland - Woman removed in the 1940s.
" I led a very lost, confused, sad and empty childhood, as my foster father molested me. I remember once having a bath with my clothes on 'cause I was too scared to take them off. I was scared of the dark 'cause my foster father would often come at night. I was scared to tell anyone 'cause I once attempted to tell the local Priest at the Catholic church and he told me to say ten Hail Mary's for telling lies. So I thought this was how `normal' non-Aboriginal families were. I was taken to various doctors who diagnosed me as 'uncontrollable' or 'lacking in intelligence'." - New South Wales - Woman removed at 3 years in 1946, experienced two foster placements and a number of institutional placements.
In a serious attempt to rid their Aboriginal culture, once removed, so many children were encouraged by their foster/adopted families to abandon and deny their own Aboriginal heritage and language in favor of western values and norms. They were encouraged to speak the English language and if they didn't they were threatened with violence.
For many of the children who were placed with unsatisfactory foster parents or in institutions, as adults they continue to struggle to overcome their experiences of trauma, loss, isolation, neglect and very often, physical, sexual and mental abuse. Without ties to their families and culture forged in childhood many still struggle today to find support systems within either of their Aboriginal or "White" families. Indeed a great many never reconnected with their birth families.
The institutions where the children were taken aimed to teach 'Part-Aboriginal' children to take their place in a society that treated non-white people as second-class whilst simultaneously forging a divide amoungst Aboriginal communities as to 'half-caste' children.
You can learn about more experiences at:
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/stolen-generations-stories
"I was very fortunate that when I was removed, I was with very loving and caring parents. The love was mutual ... I know my foster parents were the type of people that always understood that I needed to know my roots, who I was, where I was born, who my parents were and my identity ... I remember one day I went home to my foster father and stated that I had heard that my natural father was a drunk. My foster father told me you shouldn't listen to other people: `You judge him for yourself, taking into account the tragedy, that someday you will understand'. " - South Australia - Woman fostered at 4 years in the 1960s.
"My mother and brother could speak our language and my father could speak his. I can't speak my language. Aboriginal people weren't allowed to speak their language while white people were around. They had to go out into the bush or talk their lingoes on their own. Aboriginal customs like initiation were not allowed. We could not leave Cherbourg to go to Aboriginal traditional festivals. We could have a corroboree if the Protector issued a permit. It was completely up to him. I never had a chance to learn about my traditional and customary way of life when I was on the reserves." - Queensland - Woman removed in the 1940s.
" I led a very lost, confused, sad and empty childhood, as my foster father molested me. I remember once having a bath with my clothes on 'cause I was too scared to take them off. I was scared of the dark 'cause my foster father would often come at night. I was scared to tell anyone 'cause I once attempted to tell the local Priest at the Catholic church and he told me to say ten Hail Mary's for telling lies. So I thought this was how `normal' non-Aboriginal families were. I was taken to various doctors who diagnosed me as 'uncontrollable' or 'lacking in intelligence'." - New South Wales - Woman removed at 3 years in 1946, experienced two foster placements and a number of institutional placements.
In a serious attempt to rid their Aboriginal culture, once removed, so many children were encouraged by their foster/adopted families to abandon and deny their own Aboriginal heritage and language in favor of western values and norms. They were encouraged to speak the English language and if they didn't they were threatened with violence.
For many of the children who were placed with unsatisfactory foster parents or in institutions, as adults they continue to struggle to overcome their experiences of trauma, loss, isolation, neglect and very often, physical, sexual and mental abuse. Without ties to their families and culture forged in childhood many still struggle today to find support systems within either of their Aboriginal or "White" families. Indeed a great many never reconnected with their birth families.
The institutions where the children were taken aimed to teach 'Part-Aboriginal' children to take their place in a society that treated non-white people as second-class whilst simultaneously forging a divide amoungst Aboriginal communities as to 'half-caste' children.
You can learn about more experiences at:
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/stolen-generations-stories