THE STOLEN GENERATIONS
The Stolen Generations refers to the systemic removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families by Australian government policies between approximately 1910 and the 1970s. These children, often forcibly taken from their homes under the guise of assimilation, were placed into state institutions, foster homes, or white adoptive families with the aim of erasing Indigenous cultures and integrating them into European-Australian society. It is estimated that between one in ten and one in three Indigenous children were forcibly removed during this period. The trauma inflicted upon these children—who were denied their families, language, and heritage—has had devastating intergenerational effects, with many still searching for their families today.
The policies behind the forced removals were rooted in the belief that Indigenous Australians were a “dying race” and that their survival depended on their absorption into white society. Government officials, social workers, and police officers took children, often without parental consent or legal proceedings. Many were placed in missions or institutions where they faced abuse, neglect, and harsh punishments for speaking their own language or practicing their culture. The Bringing Them Home Report (1997) detailed these experiences, with testimonies from survivors describing the deep scars left by their forced removal—loss of identity, enduring trauma, and disconnection from family and country.
This curated video course is designed to provide both a foundational understanding of the Stolen Generations as well as firsthand accounts from those who endured it. These testimonies, alongside historical analysis, will give you insight into the lasting consequences of this government policy, which many have rightfully recognized as a form of cultural genocide. By hearing directly from survivors, we acknowledge their pain and resilience while confronting a dark chapter of Australian history that still demands truth, justice, and healing.
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This video delves into the historical foundations of the Stolen Generations, beginning with British colonization and the policies that sought to control and assimilate Indigenous Australians.
It explores the early justifications for child removal, including the belief that Aboriginal people would die out and that their children needed to be “civilized” through forced integration into white society.
The video examines key government policies such as the Aborigines Protection Act and the role of missions, reserves, and institutions in severing children from their cultural heritage. Through historical context and survivor accounts, it highlights how these early policies laid the groundwork for decades of systemic dispossession, trauma, and intergenerational harm.
This interview delves into the horrifying reality of the Stolen Generations, featuring a firsthand account from a survivor who speaks on the intergenerational trauma still impacting
First Nations peoples today. The discussion explores the history of forced removals, the role of institutions like 57 Murray Street in Perth, and the disturbing influence of eugenics policies in shaping government actions. The video also highlights the long-term consequences of these policies, the ongoing search for family and cultural identity, and the struggle for apologies, compensation, and real healing. By shedding light on this dark chapter of Australia’s history, the video underscores the importance of recognition, justice, and healing centres for survivors and their descendants.
This powerful documentary shares the heartbreaking experiences of survivors of Kinchela Boys Home, one of Australia’s most notorious institutions where Aboriginal boys were forcibly taken as part of the Stolen Generations.
Through firsthand testimonies, survivors recount the harsh conditions, physical and emotional abuse, and systematic attempts to erase their cultural identity.
The film provides a deeply personal insight into the trauma inflicted on these boys, who were denied their families, language, and heritage. It also highlights their resilience and ongoing fight for justice, healing, and recognition, shedding light on the lasting impact of government assimilation policies and the strength of those who lived through them.
This deeply personal documentary tells the story of one Aboriginal family affected by the Stolen Generations, highlighting the intergenerational trauma caused by the forced removal of Indigenous children.
Through intimate interviews and archival footage, the video explores how government policies tore families apart, stripping children of their culture, identity, and connection to Country.
The family's story sheds light on the long-term emotional and psychological scars left by these policies, as well as the resilience and strength of survivors who continue to seek justice, healing, and reconnection with their heritage. This moving account serves as a powerful reminder of the human impact of Australia’s assimilation policies and the importance of truth-telling in the path toward reconciliation.
On February 13, 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a historic apology to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging the pain caused by decades of forced removals. His speech, marked by the powerful phrase "We say sorry," was an emotional moment for Indigenous Australians, symbolizing national recognition of past injustices and a step toward reconciliation.
While widely praised, the apology was also controversial. It lacked compensation or legal reforms, and no concrete policies followed to address the ongoing disadvantages faced by Indigenous communities. Despite its symbolic power, the apology highlighted the gap between political gestures and real action, reflecting the Australian government's failure to fully commit to justice and reparations for the Stolen Generations.
Genocide in the Wildflower State" is a 59 minute documentary about a violent, state-run system of eugenics, racial absorption, and social assimilation in Twentieth Century, Western Australia.
Here is an introduction to the film by filmmakers - Jim Morrison, Kelton Pell & Tonji Hansen.
You can purchase the DVD from here - Genocide In The Wildflower State