The Stolen Generations Flashcards
What are the Stolen Generations?
Aboriginals and half caste children who were forcibly removed from their families as part of the protectionist and assimilation policies. Blend to European society
What happened to these children?
Many did not see their parents and families again. They lost track of their people, country, language and culture.
What did the ABoriginal Protection Act 1909 give authorities?
the license to ‘provide for the custody, maintenance and education of the children of aborigines.
By 1911, all states except TAS, had given Board of Protection control over Indigenous people and made legal guardian of all indigenous children.
Who enforced the legislations?
the protectors aka police officers
Where was the children raised after been taken?
Institutions / foster homes
Child Welfare Act 1939?
provide parents with right to contest against removal.
But children court was too far away from their communities and no legal assistance made it difficult.
Between 1910 and 1970 how many children were forcibly removed?
10-30% in name of assimilation
The experiences of the Stolen generations?
Sexually exploited or physically abused
loss of language, culture and heritage
Kinchela Boy Home experience?
Boys taught to farm land and operate heavy machinery
1924-1970, 600 boys stripped of their names and given numbers
Forbidden to speak their own language and severely punished for disobedience
Most brutal punishment: being sent ‘down the line’
have to walk the line and 60 to 70 boys would punch them just to satisfy people running the home.
The Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls ( 1911 - 1969)
stay until 14 years old
sent to work as domestic servants in home and farm of NSW middle class
Many girls become pregnant, only to have their own children removed and placed with white families.
Experience of Lola?
lied to, told they were being taken to circus
put to work as children
taken from language
raised to think/act like white
be ashamed of black skin
their mothers become strangers - never see
Take the CHildren Away song?
fenced in lied to teach read, write and pray teach how to live the right way/ white life sent to foster homes act white people but feel black gists to ease the pain
