Cultural Advice
Aboriginal Peoples are advised the Library Collection contains images, voices and names of deceased people in physical and online resources.
The Library recognises the significance of the traditional cultural knowledges contained within its Collection. The Library acknowledge some materials contain language that may not reflect current attitudes, was published without consent or recognition, or, is offensive. These materials reflect the views of the authors and/or the period in which they were produced and do not represent the views of the Library.
Anniversary of the formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples
The National Apology Anniversary is 13 February. This day marks the anniversary of the National Apology made to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who suffered under government policies that removed children. Stolen Generation survivors, their families, and their communities still suffer today from the trauma caused by these policies.
Between 1910 and 1970 thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families and communities by churches, welfare organisations, and governments. The exact number is not known, however, is estimated that up to 1 in 3 Indigenous children were forcibly removed. These children were fostered or adopted by non-Indigenous families or raised in institutions. Many experienced neglect, physical and sexual abuse and exploitative labour, and were denied contact with their families.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology on behalf of the Australian Government at Parliament House on 13 February 2008.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, 13 February 2008.
Learn more about the National Apology Anniversary
The Library contains a number of resources including:
- Stolen generations (video)
- Stolen motherhood : Aboriginal mothers and child removal in the Stolen Generations era (eBook)
- Trauma of Australia's Indigenous 'Stolen Generations' is still affecting children today (Peer reviewed article)
More resources can be found via our catalogue.
Other resources:
- The Healing Foundation - The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
- Bringing them Home Report (1997) – Australian Human Rights Commission
- National Apology – National Museum Australia
