Telling our story : A report by the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (Inc.) on the removal of Aboriginal children from their families in Western Australia

pp. xi, 247 p. ; 30 cm. Prev. ownership name. #0518

In 1995 this was the first public research report of its kind undertaken in Western Australia. It documents an extraordinary chapter in the history of Aboriginal affairs examining the effect of government policies that saw thousands of Aboriginal children removed from their families and reared in missions, orphanages, reserves and white foster homes.

“The report documents the insensitive, callous and now discredited policies of assimilation and integration. It confirms a significant manifestation between removal from family and severe psychological, social and economic problems experienced by many Aboriginal people later in life” Rob Riley, CEO ALS 1990-1995

More than 600 Aboriginal people who were personally and directly affected by successive assimilationist policies of Western Australian governments have told their stories publicly for the first time after a lifetime of pain and suffering.

The report cites a range of legal options for Aboriginal people who were taken away and are seeking reparation.

This includes:

• alleging a breach in the international laws of genocide
• alleging a breach of implied human rights in the Australian Constitution, or
• there are several civil law options

The report also makes recommendations to both State and Federal Governments of ways of addressing this most important issue.

• Children, Australian aboriginal — Relocation — Australia — Western Australia.
• Children, Australian aborigina — Government policy — Australia — Western Australia.
• Children, Australian aboriginal — Services for — Australia — Western Australia.
• Child welfare — Australia — Western Australia.
• Mental health.
• Child welfare – Child /?óÔé¼ÔÇ? parent separation – Stolen generations.
• Law – Legal aid services.
• Law – Family law.
• Literature and stories – Story telling and story tellers.
• Government policy – Initial period and protectionism – 1901-1925.
• Government policy – Assimilation.
• Child welfare – Care services.
• Children, Aboriginal Australian — Crimes against — Western Australia.
• Children, Aboriginal Australian — Western Australia — Treatment.