The Stolen Generation

By s05032

  • State govenments agree to stop the removal of indigenous children from their families

    By 1969, all states have repealed the legislation allowing for the removal of Aboriginal children under the policy of 'protection'. In the following years, Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agencies are set up to contest removal applications and provide alternatives to the removal of Indigenous children from their families.
  • Period: to

    First Link-Up Aboriginal Corporation is established

    The first Link-Up Aboriginal Corporation is established in NSW. It provides family tracing, reunion and support services for forcibly removed children and their families.

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle is introduced in the Northern Territory

    The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle is introduced in the Northern Territory, aiming to ensure that Indigenous children are placed with Indigenous families when adoption or fostering is necessary.

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in NSW

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in Victoria

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in South Australia

  • Going Home Conference

    The 'Going Home Conference' in Darwin brings together over 600 Aboriginal people removed as children to discuss common goals of reparations. Finished on the 6th

  • National Inquiry into the Seperation

    The Commonwealth Government establishes the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families.

  • Apologies begins

    The parliaments and governments of all states and the ACT issue apologies to the Stolen Generations.

  • Bringing the home

    The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) presents 'Bringing Them Home', its report on the findings of the 'National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families to the Commonwealth Government'. The report made 54 recommendations, including a formal government apology, monetary compensation and other reparations to members of the Stolen Generations.

  • Government's response to the "Bringing Them Home"

    The Australian Government unveils its response to the Bringing Them Home' report, featuring a $63 million practical assistance package but rejects the recommendations for an apology or compensation scheme.

  • HREOC releases "Social Justice Report"

    HREOC releases the 'Social Justice Report', which includes a summary of responses from the churches, and non-Indigenous community to the Inquiry's recommendations, and an 'Implementation Progress Report'.

  • National Sorry Day Begins

    The National Sorry Day Committee is formed to organise an annual National Sorry Day on 26 May to commemorate the history of forcible removals and their effects. It becomes an annual event.

  • "Bringing The Home" indexing project

    The National Archives of Australia launches its Bringing Them Home indexing project to identify and preserve records about Indigenous people and communities.

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in QLD & ACT

  • Federal Parliament passes a Motion of Reconciliation

    The Federal Parliament passes a Motion of Reconciliation expressing “deep and sincere regret over the removal of Aboriginal children from their parents" but stops short of apologising.

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in Tasmania

  • Sorry Walk

    Over 250,000 people participate in the Corroboree 2000 “Sorry" Walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge on 28 May. Similar walks are held in the other State and Territory capitals.

  • Pope apologises

    Pope John Paul II issues a formal apology on behalf of the Vatican to the affected Aboriginal families for the actions of Catholic authorities or organisations in connection with the Stolen Generations.
  • Period: to

    'Many Voices: Reflections on Experience of Indigenous Child Separation' is published

    National Library of Australia's oral history project, 'Many Voices: Reflections on Experience of Indigenous Child Separation', is published with members of the Stolen Generations.

  • Reconciliation Place in ACT was officially open.

    The Commonwealth Government establishes a memorial to the Stolen Generations at Reconciliation Place in Canberra.

  • Restoring Identy

    PIAC releases its report on the Moving Forward conference, titled 'Restoring Identity'. The report presents a proposal for a reparations tribunal.

  • Victoria establishes a Stolen Generations taskforce

  • Aboriginal Child Placement Principle in Western Australia

  • Period: to

    First Stolen Generation compensation scheme

    The Tasmanian Government sets up Australia's first Stolen Generations compensation scheme through the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal Children Act 2006.

  • Buce Trevorrow successfully sued state for compensation

    Bruce Trevorrow becomes the first member of the Stolen Generations to successfully sue the state for compensation as a result of his removal from his family as a baby. The South Australian Supreme Court awards Mr Trevorrow $775,000 in damages.

  • Senate rejects the Stolen Generation Compensation Bill

    The Senate rejects the Stolen Generation Compensation Bill which calls for ex gratia payments to be made to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal children.

  • Kevin Rudd's Sorry Speech

    Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the Australian Parliament, makes a historic national apology to the Stolen Generations.

  • Australian Government formally endorses the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    The Australian Government formally endorses the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Article 8 requires governments to prevent and provide remedies for forced assimilation, forced population transfers and dispossession from lands.