The Stolen Children: Their Stories

by Human Rights Commission, Carmel Bird (Editor)

Following the unprecedented demand for the Report on the stolen children which was published by The Human Rights and Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (HEROC) and retailed at $60.00, here are extracts from the Report which are mostly comprised of the actual stories told by the stolen generations of their experiences. These stories are deeply moving and compelling. HEROC will not be printing any more copies of the Report and they have given Carmel Bird the right to use the stories in this book so that they become more accessible to the wider population. Carmel has also written linking text and included a range of comments from politicians, social commentators, actors, artists and other prominent people. At a time when the national attention is sharply focused on the tragedy of the stolen generations, and when various institutions, political leaders and groups are officially apologising for the policies which saw so many young children being taken from their families, this book is extremely timely and quite unique in its content. This work is absolutely topical, already has a high profile, and has no competition in marketplace. It will be launched on National Sorry Day in March and half the proceeds will go to The Human Rights Commission. Carmel Bird is passionate about this issue and will speak for the book on national media, garnering national media coverage.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Australia, Book Club, Childrens

188 pages

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Wayne]

doing research. fuck what a book.

[Madison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t just tell stories it carries echoes. Each page feels like a voice reaching through time, asking to be heard, to be remembered. The grief is quiet but immense, like an ocean you don’t realise you’re standing in until the water is at your chest. It hurt to read, but in that hurt there is truth, and in that truth, a kind of sacred witnessing. I will carry these voices with me for a long time.

[Sabrina Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredibly raw and sad and still unbelievable to read. It often surprises me how humanity survived all this cruelty and I hope we learned at least some valuable lessons out of this.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consists of excerpts from a late-1990s document, in which Australia held a formal inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. The testimonies and commentaries in here are a vital part of this incredibly troubling history. To offer an American comparison, I'd say the stories read like a combination of slave narratives and testimonies from the Catholic church sex abuse scandal. The cruelty and control in these stories are so troubling, yet the forgiveness and humanity in the voices of those telling these stories is nothing short of amazing.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy quick illuminating reading, should be a history book in all Australian schools.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIG eye opener

[Mikayla Imrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be compulsory in the school curriculum. An insight into Australia’s recent dark history. Absolutely heartbreaking and it’s legacy still impacting thousands of lives today.

[Adam Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perhaps it is because we like to think of our history as a story of "progress" and of ourselves as decent and open minded people building a society in which everyone has a right to a "fair go". Perhaps it is because the God (or gods) we worship is the God of the winners, who has little mercy for the losers. For we do not really believe in forgiveness if we fail - and surely we have failed in our relations with the first peoples of this land, peoples who, for at least 60,000 years, lived her in tune with this land (which we now seem to be destroying)

If we open our hearts and minds to their side of the story, we may begin to realise that the gods of success - of money, power and pleasure - are cruel gods. We need to learn from the people we have oppressed and despised, the suffering Servant described by the prophet Isaiah as 'wounded for our inequities, and bruised for our sins", who points us to life rather than death. If so many of us seem to suffer from psychic numbing, perhaps it is because we are afraid to acknowledge our need to be forgiven and to forgive ourselves.

The history that really matters in this sense is not the story of the winners but the story of the losers, of all those who were defeated, oppressed, raped, humiliated and ribbed of what they held sacred: their land and their community. The story that matters because it reminds us of our real task as human beings; not to be rich and powerful, famous or luxurious, but to know our place in the scheme of things, to live with respect for and with others, and for and with the earth. We must be generous, compassionate and ready to learn from our mistakes.

The story of the suffering of Aboriginal and Islander peoples reminds us that we still have a long way to go. But the goal is surely to exchange the hearts - the hearts of conquerors, estranged from the land and its peoples and their lives - for hearts of flesh. Such hearts will know the truth that no-one is an island, that we are all part of the one continent, one common humanity.
When one person suffers we are all wounded"

Veronica Brady

Whilst I think this book is beyond ratings, I think it's required reading for any Australian. For this country to heal, full disclosure must be given to the chilling facts that took place before we were to call this one " The Lucky Country". We've since had our official " Sorry" thanks to Kevin Rudd but there is still trauma passed down from these chilling events that affect the lives of many to this day.
I cant say I'm happy I read it, I'm not happy about the subject matter at all, but I'm wiser from them. I implore the next Australian to read it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird has structured her book carefully to tell a story about the Stolen Generations, with introductory front matter (including a preface from Ronald Wilson the National Committee’s prime commissioner); the Stories themselves; Perspectives from people at the time, including Hansard excerpts from politicians at the tabling of the Report; the Report’s Recommendations; and end matter comprising an Afterword from historian Henry Reynolds and a poem titled “Sorry” by Millicent whose story appears in the Stories section. Bird’s curation also includes providing introductions to each of the stories to draw out important issues or points about that person’s situation, and adding other explanatory notes where appropriate. For my full review, please see: https://whisperinggums.com/2017/10/26...

[Madasun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Many Aboriginal people struggle to talk about the horrific events that occurred through their lives when the white man took over. This book is historic and has true stories from Aboriginal people and how they were treated during the stolen generation. This is something that needs to be talked about more and recognised that it to this day effects many indigenous Australians. Something that should never be swept under the rug.

[Alli_aye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn. This was a difficult, stop / start reading experience due to the absolute cruelty we as Australians made Indigenous people suffer under The Stolen Generations.

Really well structured and a good collation of testimony, reactions and academics.
A must read.

[Lara Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculously important to read for all Australians that care about self-awareness and establishing the fundamental respect and understanding that underpins cultural competence.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for all Australians. Should be a school requirement to read this book.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrowing and haunting. Stories that will stay with you for a while. My heart breaks for all the First Nations people that suffered loss of family and identity during this time.

[Scott Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, but necessary reading.

[D.A. Cairns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to rate because of its content and purpose. The title refers to the half caste indigenous Australian children who were removed form their families as part of a long term government plan to assimilate indigenous people into the dominant white community by cutting the children off from their place, language and customs. The stories in this book are first hand accounts from the victims of this racist and extremely shameful policy.

The stories are very sad, depressing mostly, and I found myself grateful that I was only reading a small selection of them. Occupying roughly one half of the book, the stories present stark pictures of the emotional and physical trauma suffered by the Stolen Children and their families. Some of these tales are horrifying. The rest of the book comprises official responses, speeches and comments from other significant persons in society, including of course, then Prime Minister, John Howard. Lastly, the 54 recommendations made by the Bringing Them Home report are also included.

This is an important book, a very significant cultural and political book which I think all Australians should read, but it is not enjoyable. It made me feel angry and disappointed and sad, and I commend Carmel Bird for editing The Stolen Children and presenting it in the form she did. My advice is to take this medicine in small doses.

[dangerous at every speed · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly interesting and important collection of excerpts of stories - from the stolen children themselves - and the politics in the time of the books creation. There were overlapping and overlaid themes throughout the book that were referred to, which certainly pulled the book together nicely and added a cohesive confidence of the editor, Carmel Bird.
The content in this book is important for any citizen of the world, regardless of their geographical history or current location. Relevant to many cultures that have experienced imperialism at its most fatal; the book details an emotional massacre in our very recent past, and the politicians unable to apologise for their country's past actions. In an age of Donald Trump and other political tyrants, social justice movements of varying kinds growing and intense scrutiny on our opinion and handling of racism and other social issues - the content in this book explores all of these in their varying forms, and how it can be all abused.
Very enjoyable and quite to read, but the length of the book isn't a testament to its importance; great things come in small packages after all.

[Siri · Rating 2 out of 5]

not enough thread to tie this book together. Not enough history or background info to inform a reader who doesn't know as much about the stolen generation. Without any background it takes away from reading the personal stories. Unfortunately it left me with more questions than any type of answer.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

The selection of stories and opinions was a little one sided, but it's still a good book to help the average person understand the stolen generation.

[Afrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

They are all such sad experiences the stolen children experienced. No one should go through these traumatic experiences. Very interesting read and one I will defintely not forget.