This happened from the mid-1800s to the 1970s. In the 1860s, Victoria became the first state to pass laws authorising Aboriginal children to be removed from their parents. Similar policies were later adopted by other states and territories - and by the federal government when it was established in the 1900s. At the age of two or three, Roach and his sisters and brothers, along with the other Indigenous Australian children of the Stolen Generations, were forcibly removed from their family by government agencies and placed in an orphanage. After two unpleasant placements in foster care, Roach was eventually fostered by Alex and Dulcie Cox, a family of Scottish immigrants in Melbourne. Their eldest daughter Mary Cox would sing church hymns and taught Roach the basics of guitar and keyboards. Roach's love of music was further fuelled by Alex's collection of Scottish music. "He was a big influence on me - a good influence. I'll love him to the day I die."
Hey Charlie, speaking from my families experience, we are still feeling the effects of this. I had 4 ancestors who were removed between the ages of 3 and 14, placed with white families and married to white men before they reached 20. The first was taken in 1829, the last in 1917. But other families have people taken far more recently. What the government is finally starting to realise is despite the pain they inflicted, they failed. They have not bred us out, they just changed our skin colour. We are now, always have been and always will be who we were born to be (insert preferred terminology here) I am a proud Aboriginal woman, my skin may be white, but that doesn't mean I am.
This song always makes me cry 😢. You may think this was in the 1800's but NO. it was still happening in the 1970's. May still be happening today on occasions.
The great voices of the Bull sisters can be heard on multiple hits. The band you most probably recognise is "The Black Sorrows" in which they backed up the voice of Joe Camilleri. e.g. "Chained to the Wheel"
This was most prominent in Indigenous communities, but it was a general Policy used with what was seen as “disadvantaged” Children, or problematic Children. My 3 Siblings and I found ourselves in a Children’s Home, so an Orphanage and a place for above mentioned Children. When my Grandparents came to get us the Home wouldn’t let my Brother go, as they said he was troublesome, and needed to be kept in the Institution, it took a real fight to get him released. This sort of thing happened a lot. Further to this, the Children’s Home in question was closed due to widespread Mental, Physical, and Sexual abuse. It now stands fenced off and burnt out as reminder of those days.
Yes Archie Roach one of Australia’s most important and talented singer song writer and everything in between. He put a light on aboriginal painful history
Heartbreaking 💔💔💔... brutal, horrific, and so, so wrong 💔💔💔 ... this happened in the US, as well ... hundreds of tribes here 💔💔💔 ... unthinkable cruelty 💔💔💔 I was not adopted, nor am I a tribal member .... however, they words, music, the way it was sung, their voices helped me feel a bit of what they were going through and the trajedies they lived through.
I had a dear friend in the seventies who was taken from her family when very young and adopted by a very well to do and materialistic couple of whom she had no understanding. As a young indigenous girl she was so lost and found it incomprehensible. She had not found out which tribe she came from or where in Australia, I lost contact with her so I really hope she was given some answers eventually. Thank you for your beautiful reaction Charlie. ❤️
Also, if you haven't read Archie's book, it is eye-opening and will answer all your questions you asked today. We lost our beautiful Archie last year. What a precious soul he was and the gifts he left us are too numerous to count. Also check out Archie singing his song as a young man. ❤❤❤
Such a shameful part of our history which still affects those affected today and will probably continue to do so for many generations. I feel so despondant about it. How can we possibly make up for this? So difficult. The truth must be taught. I cry every time I hear this. Thank you for your heartfelt reaction.❤
Archie was one of the children taken away. His songs are based on personal experience. Discrimination still exists today but the policies of the past are viewed with disgust now. So-called Christian organisations were the motivating force behind these horrendous policies. Listen to Archie's studio albums and you will get the full force of his wonderful voice and lyrics. He never stopped fighting for aboriginal rights and making sure people heard the truth.
I am Church of England christened. However, none of my family followed religion, so neither did I when I was young. As an adult I decided that too many bad things were carried out "in the name of religion", that religion was often "blinkered" and I didn't want to be part of it. I don't believe I need any religious element to be a caring person. For those who derive comfort and serenity from their religion - brilliant. To those who say "God will provide".........pigs might fly? For those who use their religious faith to truly benefit others - Brilliant.
Oh Charlie - we all need to know where we come from, what our background is. Having a background is our stability, the basis for our future. . This is heartbreaking to listen to. I shall stay with it to the end, but will probably never listen to it again - the tears are flowing.. UK. E
I cry every time I hear this. I am mortified by people thinking they were doing a good thing to steal a generation. They are known as the stolen generation. Archie was not so well by this time 2020. Paul Kelly, who sang , worked with Archie and wrote and sang ,with him.
By the way the Stolen Generation happened for many decades and continued until the 1970’s. Archie was one of the Stolen Generation 😢 perhaps watch Aussie Films like The Sapphires starring songstress Jessica Mauboy. PS Because of the sad passing of Archie, culturally at the beginning of the clip, it is good to say something like “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this video contains images, voices and names of deceased persons.’ I know you are not from Australia, but I just thought you might like to know.
Removing First Nations (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) children from their families was 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.
My step dad is an aboriginal elder, who is called Uncle Roy from Yorta Yorta (“meeting of the waters”. Which is in Echuca, Victoria, Australia. he is one of the stolen generation, he is the most kind, compassionate and humble man, he would give you the shirt off his back. His life story is terrible and heartbreaking, as are many others. On 13 February 2008, our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (at the time) offered a formal apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations, on behalf of the nation at Australian Parliament House. Sadly Uncle Archie Roach passed away in July 2022.
Hi Charlie . This is a touching hard song to do. Thankyou. I also Hope you’ll do some more Angelina Jordan soon . Espically her new song Princess of Ruins She performed at her Vegas show for the first time. You replied to a comment on your last reaction to Angelina about her changing the world. Your answer was she would have do to something to change the world. To date Angelina Jordan has given 21 Million Dollars to children and there families in need.
Check out Archie's story n line and that of his beautiful long term partner Ruby Hunter. Both of whom are now lost to this world but their legacy endures.
I'm sure others have told you arche was part of the stolen generations, the man singing isn't, that is Paul Kelly an amazing artist who had arche open for him and launched the song in to our lives.
Nice one Charlie, I feel you mate. And yes, Archie has passed. I cry every time I hear this, especially watching his original version when he was younger. I'm mates with one of Archie's adopted sons, Arthur - the loveliest man you could hope to meet. We've discussed this at length, me with my white man's ignorance, Arthur...full of indigenous wisdom and patience..such patience, as we try to give them a proper voice in our parliament. The last 'voice to parliament' (last year) referendum was highjacked for many complicated reasons, and it didn't pass. It was a sad and tragic time - but our indigenous brothers are a very patient people, they've been waiting hundreds of years for proper recognition. And we will all keep trying. When I reacted with outrage over the stolen generation, as you just did, Arthur simply said "they thought they were doing the right thing mate, and they took plenty of white kids too" Our indigenous brothers and sisters are an amazing people. Hopefully, one day soon, they'll get the recognition they deserve.
Charlie, I hope you now have a go at The Children Came Back, by Briggs. It’s a wonderful, strong response and dedication to Archie and to the strength and resilience of First Nations Peoples
Thank you Charlie❤. First Nation people in Australia have suffered immeasurably. My own step dad didn’t know of many relations until he was in his 50s. There are property owners who used arsenic to poison the water. There is even a video of Lang Hancock, father of Gina Rhinehart, talking about the serialisation of the population even though he himself fathered First Nation children with women who were within his employ. ruclips.net/video/pMaRuk6pGOc/видео.html
Archie's last 3 words in that song says , I came back . He was a stolen generation child. It was part of the White Australia policy . This was still happening only 60 years ago.
Thank you for doing this reaction video, though I would like to correct something both you and Edwina/song requester has stated……that aboriginal/indigenous children were “adopted”. Very few were adopted….most were FORCIBLY REMOVED (started with the adults)from tribal lands and forced onto government “missions” or “reservations” and also into institutions called girls or boys homes, and private/govt foster care homes. Very rarely was “adoption” conducted. “We” were forcibly removed by the police and placed under the government sanctioned “Chief Protector”….a legislated government guardian who made decisions over where our people would be “placed”. Similar to North American First Nations people who were also forcibly removed from their tribal lands and relocated to “reservations”. I still remember the train trip our family were forced to go on to our new life…..a Catholic Institutional Facility…..where a lot of children were abused. I sincerely wish you the healing that you so deserve…..because trauma comes in all different forms…yours being adoption trauma. It was a very sad day last year when Australia had the opportunity to give indigenous people “a voice” to parliament via a National Referendum. The majority voted NO. Statistics show the highest “No” vote came from polling areas which are noted for being the highest/worst “strongholds” of racism in Australia. The sad thing is that a young indigenous woman led an indigenous “No” campaign (she was the face). It should be noted that she & her Scottish husband have never lost her children, nor her tribal lands, nor her family tier relationships. At the time she & hubby were building their mega multi million dollar mansion in what is called the most expensive city in the world. Unfortunately her and her family members have been “bought” by the mining industry $$, the Freemasons that run the “Chessboard” and $$$ from businessmen & corporations. She is sweet on her patch as long as her “mob” are taken care of……but a “Yes” vote would have given us a “Voice to Parliament”. We have already been “shut down” and “silenced” in so many ways. It is sad that in this age when there is so much awareness, publicity, public forums & proof of “the stolen generation” via archived reports, photos, documentation, personal stories etc……that Australia wants our voice to still be silenced. Apparently the No voters were convinced that a Yes vote was in our best interests. And bottom line….it is alllll about the money. Not only have the “coconuts” (brown skin on the outside, white colonistic mindset on the inside) sold out another opportunity for “traumatised & disadvantaged” people to become empowered….but the majority of racist people in this nation somehow were worried that a “Yes” vote would give indigenous people more money, while they still get to keep our tribal lands for their farms, businesses and homes. This is why people like brother Archie, Emma and Paul Kelly use their voices to bring awareness. If you care to do another song of brother Archie Roach, please do Munjana. This true story is about a woman’s son (Russell) being stolen from her and adopted out to go live in the USA. His life unravelled quickly after the adoption family kicked him out to the streets at age 12. He ended up in a Florida Prison. You can find the story online. His story should be a movie, like Rabbit Proof Fence (a movie about the stolen children). Thank you for the song suggestion and thank you for covering this song and its message. Thank you to all Australians who voted “Yes”.
And still today under the guise of government rules. There is such a divide between indigenous Australians and the invaders. They still have little idea about First Nations culture.
So here's my "Brief" (ehem sorry) take on the issue surrounding the "Stolen Generations" (grab a cuppa) How fitting you should do this reaction now. As every year from 27th May - 3rd June we have "Reconciliation" - where our Indigenous Australians and the remainder of the population are supposed to get together to reconcile our differences and form unity. (I say 'supposed to' as it's not enforced and still many non-indigenous Australians know nothing about it let alone do anything.) [NB: I have a Uni Bachelor of Arts: Australian History, Indigenous Studies, Imperial/Colonial History I have also worked with Indigenous people and at the Indigenous College with Indigenous Students.] Superficially, the Whiteman was trying to "Help" Charles Darwin put Aboriginal Australia" last on his list because they were the last discovered. The powers that be decided this meant the Australian Indigenous people would be the first to disappear. So to "help them get through the process of dying out quickly" they decided to assimilate the Indigenous people into the white man life. They almost succeeded. for even though the policy was stopped, the indigenous family lines were broken and mostly lost. therefore for a true indigenous to marry another they need to know the family lines - without that they could contaminate. So those who lost their family married non-indigenous anyway. But there was a darker, more political reason. When Britain conquered Australia, they took it under the banner "TERRA NULLIUS" (no people / no sovereignty) Of course then they realised the indigenous (who hid at first) were people and did have a culture that worked the land. First they tried to eradicate them - massacres and small pox infestations, poisoned flour, rotten alcohol etc ... They managed it on Tasmania - all indigenous people wiped out by 1830 (the last dying in captivity in 1905), They included the Indigenous as stock (they included convicts as stock too) or as wild. Captivity was "Aborigine Reserves" - fenced places that they made the indigenous live in. 1901 Federation tried to break away from British Dominance and make a Nation out of us but we were still less than 5 million national citizens. Fearing take over by the Chinese, (and to give them the authority to wipe out the Indigenous and thus retail "Terra Nullius"), they created "The White Australia Policy" - only people who had white skin could come to Australia to live, and could own land here. Except for times of war and then only those who served, the Indigenous were not treated as people - no wage, no property ownership, they had to seek permission to get a job, to leave a job (rarely granted), to travel outside their neighbourhood, and/or to marry (and then the authorities would play bastardly and grant one and not the other! ) This was broadened after WW2 to include those of slightly browner complexions (Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian) 1975 the "Anti-discrimination Acts" dissolved the White Australia Policy and thus no longer influenced who could immigrate or own land. [as a side note : Australian Population - 1901 - 3,788,123 (indigenous not included) 1918 - 5,000,000 (Indigenous not included) 1945 - 7,391,612 (Indigenous not included) 1955 - 9,209,844 (Indigenous not included - "10 Pound Poms" initiated) {initiative to entice English to migrate} 1975 - 12,505,034 + Indigenous - 10PP ended Current - 26,669,817] Finally the people of Australia made the politicians take notice. The people had always acknowledged the Indigenous as people, given them credit for things they knew/did well and treated them as they deserved (good & bad) it was the British directives that kept them as animals. - 1961 census was the first time “Aboriginal” was a person classification. - By 1969, all states had repealed the legislation allowing for the removal of Aboriginal children under the policy of 'protection'. (“Stolen Generation” ended) - [NB it still worked. Because Indigenous children did not know their families, it was safer to marry a white person than marry the wrong black one. Thus, the assimilation continues.] - 1975 Anti-discrimination Act gave Indigenous equality of life. - 1992 Eddie Marbo [1936-1992] proved ownership acknowledgement of the land his family had lived on forever! 5 months after Eddie died of cancer (55yo) on 3rd June 1992, the Australian High Court ruled in his favour. This acknowledgement predates British claim of Terra Nullius 1770, and so gave Australian Indigenous land rights and created the Native Title Act 1993 [REVERSING EVERYTHING!] Sorry for the big blather, but it is one of Australia's MAJOR factors - definitely THE major Social factor! Love your work, CHOOKAS! 💚🦘
Archie - just the most important songwriter Australia has produced.
This happened from the mid-1800s to the 1970s. In the 1860s, Victoria became the first state to pass laws authorising Aboriginal children to be removed from their parents. Similar policies were later adopted by other states and territories - and by the federal government when it was established in the 1900s. At the age of two or three, Roach and his sisters and brothers, along with the other Indigenous Australian children of the Stolen Generations, were forcibly removed from their family by government agencies and placed in an orphanage. After two unpleasant placements in foster care, Roach was eventually fostered by Alex and Dulcie Cox, a family of Scottish immigrants in Melbourne. Their eldest daughter Mary Cox would sing church hymns and taught Roach the basics of guitar and keyboards. Roach's love of music was further fuelled by Alex's collection of Scottish music. "He was a big influence on me - a good influence. I'll love him to the day I die."
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hey Charlie, speaking from my families experience, we are still feeling the effects of this. I had 4 ancestors who were removed between the ages of 3 and 14, placed with white families and married to white men before they reached 20. The first was taken in 1829, the last in 1917. But other families have people taken far more recently. What the government is finally starting to realise is despite the pain they inflicted, they failed. They have not bred us out, they just changed our skin colour. We are now, always have been and always will be who we were born to be (insert preferred terminology here) I am a proud Aboriginal woman, my skin may be white, but that doesn't mean I am.
The other male vocalist (bald guy standing) is Paul Kelly. A great singer/songwriter himself, you should check out some of his work.
Thank you ❤
This song always makes me cry 😢.
You may think this was in the 1800's but NO. it was still happening in the 1970's.
May still be happening today on occasions.
It is unfortunately. After 200 years and the discrimination is still happening.
Paul Kelly is the Male singer , Vika and Linda Bull are the fabulous female singers. All are renowned singers in their own right.
The great voices of the Bull sisters can be heard on multiple hits. The band you most probably recognise is "The Black Sorrows" in which they backed up the voice of Joe Camilleri. e.g. "Chained to the Wheel"
Paul Kelly is probably the greatest Aboriginal song writer…ever. He had emphysema
This was most prominent in Indigenous communities, but it was a general Policy used with what was seen as “disadvantaged” Children, or problematic Children. My 3 Siblings and I found ourselves in a Children’s Home, so an Orphanage and a place for above mentioned Children. When my Grandparents came to get us the Home wouldn’t let my Brother go, as they said he was troublesome, and needed to be kept in the Institution, it took a real fight to get him released. This sort of thing happened a lot. Further to this, the Children’s Home in question was closed due to widespread Mental, Physical, and Sexual abuse. It now stands fenced off and burnt out as reminder of those days.
Yes Archie Roach one of Australia’s most important and talented singer song writer and everything in between. He put a light on aboriginal painful history
1) hard song and equally beautiful performance.
2) knowing what it means to you, and you’re still the man you are… big love ❤️
Thank you brother. Big love in return ❤️
Heartbreaking 💔💔💔... brutal, horrific, and so, so wrong 💔💔💔 ... this happened in the US, as well ... hundreds of tribes here 💔💔💔 ... unthinkable cruelty 💔💔💔
I was not adopted, nor am I a tribal member .... however, they words, music, the way it was sung, their voices helped me feel a bit of what they were going through and the trajedies they lived through.
I had a dear friend in the seventies who was taken from her family when very young and adopted by a very well to do and materialistic couple of whom she had no understanding. As a young indigenous girl she was so lost and found it incomprehensible. She had not found out which tribe she came from or where in Australia, I lost contact with her so I really hope she was given some answers eventually. Thank you for your beautiful reaction Charlie. ❤️
Also, if you haven't read Archie's book, it is eye-opening and will answer all your questions you asked today.
We lost our beautiful Archie last year. What a precious soul he was and the gifts he left us are too numerous to count.
Also check out Archie singing his song as a young man. ❤❤❤
Thank you ❤
Such a shameful part of our history which still affects those affected today and will probably continue to do so for many generations. I feel so despondant about it. How can we possibly make up for this? So difficult. The truth must be taught.
I cry every time I hear this.
Thank you for your heartfelt reaction.❤
Archie was one of the children taken away. His songs are based on personal experience. Discrimination still exists today but the policies of the past are viewed with disgust now. So-called Christian organisations were the motivating force behind these horrendous policies. Listen to Archie's studio albums and you will get the full force of his wonderful voice and lyrics. He never stopped fighting for aboriginal rights and making sure people heard the truth.
I am Church of England christened. However, none of my family followed religion, so neither did I when I was young. As an adult I decided that too many bad things were carried out "in the name of religion", that religion was often "blinkered" and I didn't want to be part of it. I don't believe I need any religious element to be a caring person. For those who derive comfort and serenity from their religion - brilliant. To those who say "God will provide".........pigs might fly? For those who use their religious faith to truly benefit others - Brilliant.
Thank you ❤ ....
Oh Charlie - we all need to know where we come from, what our background is. Having a background is our stability, the basis for our future. . This is heartbreaking to listen to. I shall stay with it to the end, but will probably never listen to it again - the tears are flowing.. UK. E
I cry every time I hear this. I am mortified by people thinking they were doing a good thing to steal a generation. They are known as the stolen generation.
Archie was not so well by this time 2020.
Paul Kelly, who sang , worked with Archie and wrote and sang ,with him.
RIP Archie 🕊️
The background singers are -
4:55 Jessica Hitchcock
5:29 Linda Bull
5:43 Paul Kelly
6:23 Nola Roach
By the way the Stolen Generation happened for many decades and continued until the 1970’s. Archie was one of the Stolen Generation 😢 perhaps watch Aussie Films like The Sapphires starring songstress Jessica Mauboy.
PS Because of the sad passing of Archie, culturally at the beginning of the clip, it is good to say something like “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this video contains images, voices and names of deceased persons.’ I know you are not from Australia, but I just thought you might like to know.
Removing First Nations (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) children from their families was 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.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
We still take the children away 😢
Rabbit proof fence is a movie which shows a little of what happened.
My step dad is an aboriginal elder, who is called Uncle Roy from Yorta Yorta (“meeting of the waters”. Which is in Echuca, Victoria, Australia. he is one of the stolen generation, he is the most kind, compassionate and humble man, he would give you the shirt off his back. His life story is terrible and heartbreaking, as are many others.
On 13 February 2008, our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (at the time) offered a formal apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations, on behalf of the nation at Australian Parliament House.
Sadly Uncle Archie Roach passed away in July 2022.
Hi Charlie . This is a touching hard song to do. Thankyou. I also Hope you’ll do some more Angelina Jordan soon . Espically her new song Princess of Ruins She performed at her Vegas show for the first time. You replied to a comment on your last reaction to Angelina about her changing the world. Your answer was she would have do to something to change the world. To date Angelina Jordan has given 21 Million Dollars to children and there families in need.
Check out Archie's story n line and that of his beautiful long term partner Ruby Hunter. Both of whom are now lost to this world but their legacy endures.
I'm sure others have told you arche was part of the stolen generations, the man singing isn't, that is Paul Kelly an amazing artist who had arche open for him and launched the song in to our lives.
Nice one Charlie, I feel you mate. And yes, Archie has passed. I cry every time I hear this, especially watching his original version when he was younger. I'm mates with one of Archie's adopted sons, Arthur - the loveliest man you could hope to meet. We've discussed this at length, me with my white man's ignorance, Arthur...full of indigenous wisdom and patience..such patience, as we try to give them a proper voice in our parliament. The last 'voice to parliament' (last year) referendum was highjacked for many complicated reasons, and it didn't pass. It was a sad and tragic time - but our indigenous brothers are a very patient people, they've been waiting hundreds of years for proper recognition. And we will all keep trying. When I reacted with outrage over the stolen generation, as you just did, Arthur simply said "they thought they were doing the right thing mate, and they took plenty of white kids too" Our indigenous brothers and sisters are an amazing people. Hopefully, one day soon, they'll get the recognition they deserve.
Thanks for sharing bro...
Charlie, I hope you now have a go at The Children Came Back, by Briggs. It’s a wonderful, strong response and dedication to Archie and to the strength and resilience of First Nations Peoples
Thank you Charlie❤. First Nation people in Australia have suffered immeasurably. My own step dad didn’t know of many relations until he was in his 50s. There are property owners who used arsenic to poison the water. There is even a video of Lang Hancock, father of Gina Rhinehart, talking about the serialisation of the population even though he himself fathered First Nation children with women who were within his employ. ruclips.net/video/pMaRuk6pGOc/видео.html
Spell correct - sterilisation
This song is based on Archie and his wife Ruby Roach.......they both was taken away ❤
And of course the sad dark past of Australia 😢❤
Archie's last 3 words in that song says , I came back . He was a stolen generation child. It was part of the White Australia policy . This was still happening only 60 years ago.
it's still happening. :(
Midnight oil beds are burning
Now watch Briggs the children's came back
we are forbidden to say some names in this video. if you want to learn more contact those who are and can educate you and your viewers
thank you
Such a beautifull song about a terrible part of Australian history.
Thank you for doing this reaction video, though I would like to correct something both you and Edwina/song requester has stated……that aboriginal/indigenous children were “adopted”. Very few were adopted….most were FORCIBLY REMOVED (started with the adults)from tribal lands and forced onto government “missions” or “reservations” and also into institutions called girls or boys homes, and private/govt foster care homes. Very rarely was “adoption” conducted. “We” were forcibly removed by the police and placed under the government sanctioned “Chief Protector”….a legislated government guardian who made decisions over where our people would be “placed”. Similar to North American First Nations people who were also forcibly removed from their tribal lands and relocated to “reservations”. I still remember the train trip our family were forced to go on to our new life…..a Catholic Institutional Facility…..where a lot of children were abused. I sincerely wish you the healing that you so deserve…..because trauma comes in all different forms…yours being adoption trauma. It was a very sad day last year when Australia had the opportunity to give indigenous people “a voice” to parliament via a National Referendum. The majority voted NO. Statistics show the highest “No” vote came from polling areas which are noted for being the highest/worst “strongholds” of racism in Australia. The sad thing is that a young indigenous woman led an indigenous “No” campaign (she was the face). It should be noted that she & her Scottish husband have never lost her children, nor her tribal lands, nor her family tier relationships. At the time she & hubby were building their mega multi million dollar mansion in what is called the most expensive city in the world. Unfortunately her and her family members have been “bought” by the mining industry $$, the Freemasons that run the “Chessboard” and $$$ from businessmen & corporations. She is sweet on her patch as long as her “mob” are taken care of……but a “Yes” vote would have given us a “Voice to Parliament”. We have already been “shut down” and “silenced” in so many ways. It is sad that in this age when there is so much awareness, publicity, public forums & proof of “the stolen generation” via archived reports, photos, documentation, personal stories etc……that Australia wants our voice to still be silenced. Apparently the No voters were convinced that a Yes vote was in our best interests. And bottom line….it is alllll about the money. Not only have the “coconuts” (brown skin on the outside, white colonistic mindset on the inside) sold out another opportunity for “traumatised & disadvantaged” people to become empowered….but the majority of racist people in this nation somehow were worried that a “Yes” vote would give indigenous people more money, while they still get to keep our tribal lands for their farms, businesses and homes. This is why people like brother Archie, Emma and Paul Kelly use their voices to bring awareness. If you care to do another song of brother Archie Roach, please do Munjana. This true story is about a woman’s son (Russell) being stolen from her and adopted out to go live in the USA. His life unravelled quickly after the adoption family kicked him out to the streets at age 12. He ended up in a Florida Prison. You can find the story online. His story should be a movie, like Rabbit Proof Fence (a movie about the stolen children). Thank you for the song suggestion and thank you for covering this song and its message. Thank you to all Australians who voted “Yes”.
And still today under the guise of government rules. There is such a divide between indigenous Australians and the invaders. They still have little idea about First Nations culture.
You should watch the movie "Rabbit Proof Fence". It tells the story of the stolen generation.
So here's my "Brief" (ehem sorry) take on the issue surrounding the "Stolen Generations" (grab a cuppa)
How fitting you should do this reaction now. As every year from 27th May - 3rd June we have "Reconciliation"
- where our Indigenous Australians and the remainder of the population are supposed to get together to reconcile our differences and form unity. (I say 'supposed to' as it's not enforced and still many non-indigenous Australians know nothing about it let alone do anything.)
[NB: I have a Uni Bachelor of Arts: Australian History, Indigenous Studies, Imperial/Colonial History
I have also worked with Indigenous people and at the Indigenous College with Indigenous Students.]
Superficially, the Whiteman was trying to "Help"
Charles Darwin put Aboriginal Australia" last on his list because they were the last discovered.
The powers that be decided this meant the Australian Indigenous people would be the first to disappear.
So to "help them get through the process of dying out quickly" they decided to assimilate the Indigenous people into the white man life. They almost succeeded. for even though the policy was stopped, the indigenous family lines were broken and mostly lost. therefore for a true indigenous to marry another they need to know the family lines - without that they could contaminate. So those who lost their family married non-indigenous anyway.
But there was a darker, more political reason.
When Britain conquered Australia, they took it under the banner "TERRA NULLIUS" (no people / no sovereignty)
Of course then they realised the indigenous (who hid at first) were people and did have a culture that worked the land. First they tried to eradicate them - massacres and small pox infestations, poisoned flour, rotten alcohol etc ... They managed it on Tasmania - all indigenous people wiped out by 1830 (the last dying in captivity in 1905),
They included the Indigenous as stock (they included convicts as stock too) or as wild. Captivity was "Aborigine Reserves" - fenced places that they made the indigenous live in.
1901 Federation tried to break away from British Dominance and make a Nation out of us but we were still less than 5 million national citizens. Fearing take over by the Chinese, (and to give them the authority to wipe out the Indigenous and thus retail "Terra Nullius"), they created "The White Australia Policy" - only people who had white skin could come to Australia to live, and could own land here. Except for times of war and then only those who served, the Indigenous were not treated as people - no wage, no property ownership, they had to seek permission to get a job, to leave a job (rarely granted), to travel outside their neighbourhood, and/or to marry (and then the authorities would play bastardly and grant one and not the other! )
This was broadened after WW2 to include those of slightly browner complexions (Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian) 1975 the "Anti-discrimination Acts" dissolved the White Australia Policy and thus no longer influenced who could immigrate or own land.
[as a side note : Australian Population -
1901 - 3,788,123 (indigenous not included)
1918 - 5,000,000 (Indigenous not included)
1945 - 7,391,612 (Indigenous not included)
1955 - 9,209,844 (Indigenous not included - "10 Pound Poms" initiated) {initiative to entice English to migrate}
1975 - 12,505,034 + Indigenous - 10PP ended
Current - 26,669,817]
Finally the people of Australia made the politicians take notice. The people had always acknowledged the Indigenous as people, given them credit for things they knew/did well and treated them as they deserved (good & bad) it was the British directives that kept them as animals.
- 1961 census was the first time “Aboriginal” was a person classification.
- By 1969, all states had repealed the legislation allowing for the removal of Aboriginal children under the policy of 'protection'. (“Stolen Generation” ended)
- [NB it still worked. Because Indigenous children did not know their families, it was safer to marry a white person than marry the wrong black one. Thus, the assimilation continues.]
- 1975 Anti-discrimination Act gave Indigenous equality of life.
- 1992 Eddie Marbo [1936-1992] proved ownership acknowledgement of the land his family had lived on forever! 5 months after Eddie died of cancer (55yo) on 3rd June 1992, the Australian High Court ruled in his favour. This acknowledgement predates British claim of Terra Nullius 1770, and so gave Australian Indigenous land rights and created the Native Title Act 1993 [REVERSING EVERYTHING!]
Sorry for the big blather, but it is one of Australia's MAJOR factors - definitely THE major Social factor!
Love your work, CHOOKAS! 💚🦘
Archie was one of the stolen generations, he didn't find his mother until a few days after she passed, when he was in high school.
Brother watch the Aboriginal movie rabbit proof fence it gives you an idea of what happened uncle Archie Roach he was apart of the stolen generations