The Stolen Generations: Why Australia's indigenous children were taken from their families

The Stolen Generations is the term used to describe the practice of forcibly removing First Nations children from their families between 1869 and 1970.

Many of these children were fostered or adopted by white families or brought up in orphanages, homes, or other institutions run by governments, churches, and welfare bodies.

The first use of the phrase ‘Stolen Generations’ occurred in 1981 by the Professor of History at the Australian National University Peter Read and has been used ever since.

The primary motivation for implementing the Stolen Generations policy was to 'civilise' Indigenous Australian children and integrate them into white society.

A policy of assimilation was also used in an attempt to erase Indigenous Australian culture and identity.

The first 'native institution' at Parramatta was set up in 1814 to 'civilise' Indigenous Australian children and a policy of assimilation was also used in an attempt to integrate Indigenous Australian people into western society. 

The process of assimilation was looked after by each state government in Australia, and the organisations bodies were often called Aboriginal Protection Boards or Government Departments.

These bodies created the laws and resources that made the Stolen Generations possible, and each state had their own approach to the removal of children.

The Aborigines Protection Amending Act 1915 gave the government greater control over the lives of First Nations people and paved the way for the Stolen Generations policy.

Many state government policies required First Nations children over the age of 14 to find work.

Regardless of the specific law or state government, the intent appears to have been the same: to enculturate young First Nations children into European society in order to reduce their memory and use of traditional culture.

The assimilation approach was initially enforced from 1937, after the first Commonwealth and State Conference on ‘native welfare’ occurred.

A third conference, which was held in 1951, further confirmed the use of this policy. 

The impact of the Stolen Generations policy was devastating. Many children experienced physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and displacement.

First Nations children were often not just separated from their parents, but also their brothers and sisters.

After being isolated from their family members, many children were placed in a series of different foster homes, and never felt settled in any of them.

The process of separation and rejection had long-term impacts on the children's emotional health as they became adults.

The devastating consequences of the Stolen Generations policy are documented in the 1997 'Bringing Them Home Report'.

The 'Bringing Them Home Report' documented the lifelong impacts of this traumatic experience, including poverty, social isolation, mental illness and suicide.

This report found that the forcible removal of Indigenous Australian children had a devastating impact on their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

The trauma inflicted by this policy continues to be felt by many members of the Stolen Generations today.

In 1997, the 'Bringing Them Home Report' also made recommendations for addressing the issues faced by members of the Stolen Generations.

Since then, a number of initiatives have been launched to support and commemorate the experiences.

In 2002, the first member of the Stolen Generations received financial compensation from the NSW Victims Compensation Tribunal.

Then, in 2008, the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, issued a formal apology to the members of the Stolen Generations, on behalf of all Australians.