From the late 19th century through to the 1970’s many thousands of Aboriginal children were removed from their families, under a governmental policy known as the Assimilation Act. These children are commonly referred to as the ‘Stolen Generations’. Historical evidence suggests that the Stolen Generations impacted upon Indigenous Australians to a fundamental extent, causing everlasting pain, trauma and devastation. This essay will explore the implementation of this policy and the subsequent impact on the Indigenous people of Australia, as well as the government’s attempt to reconcile with those who have endured such hardship.
The implementation of the Assimilation policy was adopted at Aboriginal Welfare Conference of commonwealth and state …show more content…
Underpinning this policy was the notion that Indigenous Australians had the right to self-determination, or the right to independence and to make decisions regarding their own futures. The release of the Bringing them home report suggested that the first step in healing is the acknowledgment of truth and the delivery of an apology. It was later then followed by a wave of apologies to the Stolen Generation by state parliaments, judges, churches, civic associations, trade unions and ethnic groups. It was suggested that the first step in healing is the acknowledgment of truth and the delivery of an apology. The apology was provided by the Australian government in recognition of policies of pasts governments. This official apology to members of the stolen generation provided by the Australian government was an important step towards building a respectful relationship between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians. Subsequently Rudd's Apology followed, as he addressed “We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations, this blemished chapter in our nation's history.” As Well as addressing “The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future” (Australian government, 2008). Following the first anniversary of the apology it was initiated that Healing foundations are to be established which will aid healing in indigenous communities, with focus mainly on the people of the stolen generations. The foundation will also include education and training initiative. These acts of the government trying to reconcile with those who have endured such hardship have resulted in positively impacted the Indigenous people of Australian in many ways, however some still feel the pain on what
The implementation of the Assimilation policy was adopted at Aboriginal Welfare Conference of commonwealth and state …show more content…
Underpinning this policy was the notion that Indigenous Australians had the right to self-determination, or the right to independence and to make decisions regarding their own futures. The release of the Bringing them home report suggested that the first step in healing is the acknowledgment of truth and the delivery of an apology. It was later then followed by a wave of apologies to the Stolen Generation by state parliaments, judges, churches, civic associations, trade unions and ethnic groups. It was suggested that the first step in healing is the acknowledgment of truth and the delivery of an apology. The apology was provided by the Australian government in recognition of policies of pasts governments. This official apology to members of the stolen generation provided by the Australian government was an important step towards building a respectful relationship between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians. Subsequently Rudd's Apology followed, as he addressed “We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations, this blemished chapter in our nation's history.” As Well as addressing “The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future” (Australian government, 2008). Following the first anniversary of the apology it was initiated that Healing foundations are to be established which will aid healing in indigenous communities, with focus mainly on the people of the stolen generations. The foundation will also include education and training initiative. These acts of the government trying to reconcile with those who have endured such hardship have resulted in positively impacted the Indigenous people of Australian in many ways, however some still feel the pain on what