Gavin Howe
The Stolen Generation refers to a period in Australia's history where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families and communities through race-based policies set up by state and federal governments. This took place from the mid-1800s to the 1970s, with Victoria passing laws in the 1860s authorising Aboriginal children to be removed from their parents. The removal of these children broke important cultural, spiritual and family ties and has resulted in lasting intergenerational trauma. In 1969, the Aborigines Protection Act was repealed, and all states and territories repealed legislation that allowed the removal of Aboriginal children. In 2008, the Australian government made a national apology to the Stolen Generations, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation was established to provide healing services to members of the Stolen Generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1910s to 1970s |
| Number of children affected | Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 3 Indigenous children |
| Organisations involved | Governments, churches and welfare bodies |
| Location | Australia |
| Affected groups | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities |
| Reasons given by the government | Protection, saving them from neglect, assimilating them into society |
| Current status | Ended in 1969 |
| Apology | Made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008 |
| Current descendants | Over 17,000 survivors and over one-third of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
| Impact | Intergenerational trauma, loss of traditional knowledge, disconnection from families and culture |
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What You'll Learn
The Aborigines Protection Act was repealed in 1969
The Aborigines Protection Act, which was first enacted in 1909, was finally repealed in 1969. The Act gave the New South Wales (NSW) Aborigines Protection Board the power to remove any Indigenous child at any time and for any reason. This led to thousands of Indigenous children being taken from their parents and communities, becoming what we now know as the Stolen Generations. The removal of Indigenous children was rationalised by various governments, claiming that it was for their protection and that it would save them from a life of neglect. Furthermore, it was believed that "Pure Blood" Aboriginal people would die out and that the "Mixed Blood" children would be able to assimilate into white society more easily.
The 1969 repeal of the Aborigines Protection Act effectively ended the practice of removing Aboriginal children under a policy of 'protection'. This was a significant step towards acknowledging the trauma and loss that the Stolen Generations experienced and continue to experience today. The legacy of this legislation endures, and the trans-generational trauma has had lasting effects on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The repeal of the Aborigines Protection Act in 1969 was a result of the growing recognition of the harmful impacts of the Act on Indigenous communities. The Act had enabled the government to exert control over various aspects of Indigenous people's lives, including residence, employment, marriage, and social life. The 1915 amendments to the Act further empowered the NSW government to remove Aboriginal children from their families, leading to the creation of the Stolen Generations.
The 1969 repeal of the Aborigines Protection Act was a crucial step towards addressing the injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. However, it is important to recognise that the impacts of this legislation continue to be felt by the Stolen Generations and their descendants. The trauma caused by the removal of children from their families and communities has had intergenerational effects, resulting in the loss of traditional knowledge and ongoing challenges for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The 1969 repeal of the Aborigines Protection Act marked a shift towards recognising the rights and autonomy of Indigenous Australians. While this was a significant step, it is also crucial to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonial policies and practices on Indigenous communities. The Stolen Generations and their descendants continue to navigate the complexities of intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnection, and the ongoing struggle for reconciliation and healing.
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The legacy of the Aborigines Protection Act
The Aborigines Protection Act, first enacted in 1909, was an Act of the Parliament of New South Wales that aimed to provide for the "protection and care" of Aboriginal people in the state. While the Act was ostensibly designed to protect Aboriginal people, it had a legacy of negative consequences and trauma that endured for generations.
One of the main amendments to the Act in 1915 gave the New South Wales (NSW) Aborigines Protection Board broad powers to remove any Indigenous child from their family, at any time, and for any reason. This amendment led to the removal of thousands of Indigenous children from their parents based solely on race, creating what became known as the Stolen Generations. The children were placed into group homes, where they were taught skills to prepare them for a life of service in a White family. While in these homes, many children experienced neglect, sexual abuse, and physical abuse.
In 1969, the Aborigines Protection Act was finally repealed, marking the technical end of the Stolen Generations period. However, the impact of these policies continued to be felt, with research indicating that between 2012 and 2017, the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care continued to rise. On February 13, 2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a national apology to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging the harm caused by these policies.
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The impact of intergenerational trauma
The Stolen Generation refers to the countless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families under government policy and direction. This was an active policy from the 1910s to the 1970s, with the 1969 repeal of the Aborigines Protection Act marking the end of the Stolen Generation. However, the removal of Indigenous children continued under the banner of child protection.
A study by the Healing Foundation found that Stolen Generation members experienced higher levels of adversity in relation to health and welfare outcomes. They were three times more likely to have been jailed in the past five years and almost twice as likely to experience discrimination and violence. The impact of intergenerational trauma also includes the loss of traditional knowledge, as survivors may pass on the impacts of institutionalisation, finding it difficult to nurture their children due to their own lack of opportunity to be nurtured.
To address intergenerational trauma, the Healing Foundation has developed initiatives that aim to restore and reaffirm the pride and cultural identity of Indigenous Australian children. They work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to co-design projects that combine ancient Indigenous healing knowledge with Western trauma knowledge. These projects include therapeutic intervention, service coordination, family case work, family camps, and cultural activities to create a holistic healing environment.
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The Stolen Generations' survivors and their descendants
The Stolen Generations refer to a period in Australia's history where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families and communities through race-based policies set up by state and federal governments. This occurred from the mid-1800s to the 1970s, with Victoria becoming the first state to pass laws authorising Aboriginal children to be removed from their parents in the 1860s.
The children, grandchildren, and future generations of the Stolen Generations may experience a cycle of intergenerational trauma, disconnection from their extended families and culture, and high levels of stress. This trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next, impacting the lives and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 1995, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission began a National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families. The Commission's findings were published in the Bringing Them Home report in 1997, which detailed the laws, policies, and practices that allowed for the removal of children and included case studies that contested the claim that removal was in the children's best interests. One of the main recommendations from the report was for the government to make a national apology to the Stolen Generations.
On February 13, 2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an Apology to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging the wrongs inflicted on Indigenous peoples by government policies. This was a significant step toward healing and reconciliation for the Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants.
The Australian Government has also established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, which provides healing services to members of the Stolen Generations and their communities. The Healing Foundation works in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing leadership, survivors, youth, therapists, and academics to combine ancient Indigenous healing knowledge with Western trauma knowledge.
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The process of national reconciliation
In 1995, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission launched a National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families. Over two years, they interviewed over 500 affected individuals and consulted organisations and institutions across the country. The Commission's findings were published in the Bringing Them Home report in April 1997, which detailed the laws, policies, and practices that enabled the removal of Indigenous children. The report made 54 recommendations to redress the wrongs done to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including a call for an official acknowledgement and apology for the forcible removals.
Between 1997 and 1999, all state and territory parliaments officially apologised for the laws, policies, and practices that led to the forcible removal of Indigenous children. In 1998, thousands of Australians participated in the Sorry Book campaign, which culminated in the first National Sorry Day on May 26, 1998. This grassroots movement was described as "the people's apology". In 1999, the Australian Government offered a Motion of Reconciliation in the National Parliament, expressing "deep and sincere regret".
On February 13, 2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an official National Apology to the Stolen Generations. This was a significant moment in the reconciliation process, with crowds across Australia watching the Apology on big screens and experiencing a range of emotions, including tears, relief, and applause. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation was established to provide healing services to members of the Stolen Generations, addressing mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
While these steps towards reconciliation are important, the effects of the Stolen Generations policies continue to be felt by Indigenous communities. Many families have experienced intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnection, and high stress levels. The Bringing Them Home report's recommendations continue to be implemented gradually, with the hope that they will contribute to the healing and reconciliation process for Indigenous Australians.
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Frequently asked questions
The Stolen Generation refers to a period in Australia’s history where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families through government policies. This occurred from the mid-1800s to the 1970s.
In 1969, the Aborigines Protection Act was repealed, ending legislation that allowed for the removal of Aboriginal children under the guise of 'protection'. In 1998, thousands of Australians participated in the Sorry Book campaign, which resulted in the first National Sorry Day on 26 May 1998. From 1997 to 1999, all state and territory parliaments officially apologised for the laws that enabled the forcible removal of the Stolen Generation.
The Stolen Generations have experienced inter-generational trauma, with many families experiencing disconnection from their extended families and culture, as well as high levels of stress. Traditional knowledge was also lost as it could not be passed down to the next generation.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission undertook a National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families from 1995 to 1997. The findings were published in the Bringing Them Home report in 1997, which detailed the laws, policies and practices that led to the removal of children. The report included 54 recommendations to redress the wrongs, including a national apology, many of which have yet to be enacted.
