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=__The Stolen Generations__=

The Stolen Generations are the generations of Aboriginal children taken away from their families by government, churches and welfare bodies to be brought up in institutions or fostered out to white families. Removing children from their families was an official government policy in Australia until 1969. However, the practice had begun in the earliest days of European settlement, when children were used as guides, servants and farm labour. The first native institution at Parramatta in 1814 was set up to civilise aboriginal children. The Aborigines Protection Board was set up and removal of the Aboriginal people from their traditional lands on to reserves and stations. An aboriginal girl in particular was sent to homes set up by the Board to be trained for domestic service. In 1909 the Aborigines Protection act gave the Aborigines Board the legal right to take Aboriginal children from their families. In 1915, a change to the act gave the board power to remove any child without a parent’s permission and without a court law. It is not known precisely how many Aboriginal children were taken away between 1909 and 1969, when the Aborigines welfare board formerly the Aborigines Protection Board was abolished. Poor record keeping, the loss of records and changes to departmental structures have made it almost impossible to trace many connections. All states and territory governments have apologised. A lot of local governments, police forces, government agencies, non- government organizations a church groups have also apologised. In 1999 the commonwealth government passed a “statement of regret” for past practices.

Written by Aaron S. & Tim W.