Overview
This lesson covers the Stolen Generations: the government-sanctioned removal of First Nations children in Australia, its goals, and lasting impacts.
Background of the Stolen Generations
- From 1910 to the 1970s, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly taken from their families.
- Governments, churches, and welfare bodies implemented these removals under official policies.
- The term "Stolen Generations" refers to these children separated from their families and communities.
- The legacy of this policy is ongoing trauma and loss in First Nations communities.
Reasons and Methods for Removal
- Removals were based on assimilation policies aiming to integrate First Nations people into white society.
- Authorities believed assimilating children was easier than adults, especially those of mixed descent.
- Lighter-skinned children were particularly targeted for removal to be absorbed into the white community.
- Policies viewed First Nations people as needing to "die out" or merge into white society.
Impact on Children and Communities
- Removed children were denied contact with their families, communities, and cultures.
- Children were taught to reject their First Nations heritage and adopt white culture.
- Often, children’s names were changed and they were forbidden from speaking First Nations languages.
- Many children were adopted by white families or placed in institutions, where abuse and neglect were common.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families under government policies.
- Assimilation policy — Government policy aiming for First Nations people to adopt white culture and lose their own.
- First Nations — Refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the original inhabitants of Australia.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review additional resources or curriculum materials on the Stolen Generations.
- Reflect on the ongoing impacts and consider how these histories shape present-day issues.