On February 13, 2008, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd made a speech, moreover, an apology in the Australian House of Commons. The apology was toward the indigenous people of Australia, particularly those of the "stolen generations". Children of Aboriginal and Torre Strait descent were removed from their homes by federal and state governments throughout the country from 1869 to 1969. At the time, White Australian policies encouraged those of Aboriginal and Torre Strait descent who were not "full blooded" to be assimilated into the rest of society as to rid the country of indigenous culture. Aboriginal children were encouraged to take on "white" lifestyles, oftentimes being placed with white families. Some children attempted to run away, either being successful or finding themselves back where they started after being captured by the Aborigines Protection Board, who ironically, was a government board who had the power to take children from their homes without parental consent.
It wasn't until the 1990's that the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquired about the removal of Aboriginal children.
Since I'm in the company of my good friend Tor's home with some friends, I won't go into the historical aspects of such a troubling time in Australian history.
Here is Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Aboriginal people in February 2008:
I highly suggest you try to find the film Rabbit Proof Fence. I saw it in my Australian History class when I was abroad and it was truly a great film. It's based on a true story of escape, survival, and culture. Here's the trailer:
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