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When Was the Aboriginal Stolen Generation?

The Dark Chapter in Australian History

The Aboriginal Stolen Generation refers to the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families by the Australian government and its agencies. This systematic and brutal practice spanned over several decades, leaving an enduring legacy of trauma and loss within Indigenous communities.

A Timeline of the Stolen Generation

The Stolen Generation encompasses a period of forced child removal that began in the late 19th century and continued well into the 1970s. The exact timeframe varies across different regions of Australia, with some states and territories implementing these policies earlier or later than others.

Key Historical Moments

• 1869: The Aboriginal Protection Act in Queensland empowered authorities to remove Aboriginal children from their families.
• 1910: The Commonwealth government established the Aboriginal Protection Board, which facilitated the removal of children across Australia.
• 1937: The Welfare Ordinance in the Northern Territory permitted the removal of Aboriginal children based on vague criteria.
• 1950s and 1960s: The peak years of the Stolen Generation, with thousands of children forcibly taken from their families.
• 1970s: Growing opposition to the policy led to its gradual decline and eventual abolition.

Assimilation and Control

The driving force behind the Stolen Generation was the government’s policy of assimilation, aimed at forcibly integrating Indigenous Australians into white society. Children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in institutions or foster homes, often without their parents’ consent.

The Lasting Impact

The consequences of the Stolen Generation are profound and long-lasting. Survivors have experienced severe emotional, psychological, and cultural trauma, and many continue to struggle with the effects of their forced removal. Intergenerational trauma has also impacted families and communities, contributing to ongoing social and economic disparities.

Acknowledgment and Reparations

In 2008, the Australian government issued a formal apology to the Stolen Generations and established a reparations program. However, many argue that more needs to be done to address the ongoing legacy of this dark chapter in Australian history.

Subheadings and Transition Words

• Subheadings:
  • A Timeline of the Stolen Generation
  • Key Historical Moments
  • Assimilation and Control
  • The Lasting Impact
  • Acknowledgment and Reparations
• Transition Words:
  • Moreover
  • Subsequently
  • Consequently
  • Additionally
  • Subsequently
  • Furthermore
  • However

Conclusion

The Stolen Generation stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of government policies that sought to forcibly assimilate Indigenous Australians. While the government has taken steps to acknowledge and address this historical wrong, the legacy of trauma and loss continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many children were forcibly removed during the Stolen Generation?
It is estimated that between 10,000 and 30,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families during the Stolen Generation.

2. What were the long-term effects of the Stolen Generation?
The Stolen Generation has had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, leading to widespread trauma, social and economic disparities, and intergenerational pain.

3. What was the government’s policy of assimilation?
The government’s policy of assimilation aimed to forcibly integrate Indigenous Australians into white society. This included the removal of children from their families and communities.

4. When did the Stolen Generation end?
The Stolen Generation gradually declined in the 1970s and was eventually abolished. However, the legacy of trauma and loss continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

5. What is being done to address the legacy of the Stolen Generation?
The Australian government has issued a formal apology and established a reparations program. However, many argue that more needs to be done to address the ongoing legacy of this dark chapter in Australian history.