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Stolen Generations

'Mugshots' before they were forced off Country are the only photos of Florence's grandparents

It's this history Florence Onus will share at Queensland's truth-telling inquiry when community sessions begin next month. WARNING: This story contains images of Indigenous people who have died, which have been provided by family for the purpose of truth-telling and healing.
an Aboriginal woman with short grey hair wearing glasses

22,000 First Nations kids are in out-of-home care today. That's why this 90s play is still relevant

Stolen is based on the real-life experiences of members of the Stolen Generations. Its message is as relevant now as when the play was first written nearly three decades ago.
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Kartanya Maynard is wearing a linen off-site shirt, posing under an off-white sheet.

Adrian and Gillian were both raised by white families in Sydney's Northern beaches. It turns out they had a shared experience

Gillian and Adrian never knew each other growing up in Sydney's Northern beaches in the 70s, but their uncannily similar backgrounds meant they became firm best friends later in life. Now they're sharing their story in a new documentary. 
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Two school-photo style headshot of a girl and a boy in uniform.

Stolen Generations descendants face ongoing compensation delay

NT Stolen Generations descendants say delay in $50m class action payment is adding to their trauma.
NT Stolen Generations, Redress Delayed: A man in sunglasses sits in a circle listening.
Duration: 2 minutes 5 seconds

Victoria Police delivers 'long overdue' apology for role in Stolen Generations

Chief Commissioner Shane Patten apologises for role Victoria Police played in forcibly removing Aboriginal children from their families through the period of the Stolen Generations.
Stolen Generations, Vic. Police Apology: A police officer in formal uniform speaks into a microphone at a podium.
Duration: 2 minutes 27 seconds

'Long overdue': Victoria's top cop apologises for historical police role in Stolen Generations

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton acknowledged the harms stemming from the police's role in the taking of Indigenous children, which he said continue to be felt today.
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The silouhette of a man

Delays to $50m Stolen Generations settlement payment adding to trauma, descendants say

Almost two years after they won a $50 million settlement from the federal government, descendants of NT Stolen Generations are yet to receive any compensation, and say the wait is adding to their trauma.
A photo showing an old man wearing a white polo shirt with trees in the background

Aubrey remembers being 'very frightened' about prohibited area laws as a child. He wants you to know the history

Seventy years after law prevented Aubrey Lynch from entering the centre of Kalgoorlie, the Wongatha elder hopes a truth-telling exhibition can provide a way forward.
map and portrait of Indigenous elder with a hat

Mother removes Aboriginal children from school following 'ultimatum' on standing for national anthem

A mother who requested her children be allowed to "sit silently" during the national anthem claims one was given detention by a private Christian school for refusing to stand.
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Australian and Aboriginal flying flags side-by-side.

A young man's story of love and loss has solved a history mystery. It is also helping rewrite Australia's origin story

Sylvia Tkac was watching ABC News when she saw something shocking. Now the breakthrough identification of her great-grandfather is shedding light on a little-known chapter of Australia's history, involving international romance, mysterious gold teeth and long-lost family.
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A woman holding a photograph f a traditional Indigenous man

Law firm lodges human rights complaint over removal of Indigenous children

First Nations woman Lisa* was removed from her family when she was six. She relived the trauma when her six-week-old daughter was taken from her. She wants the cycle to stop.
Leaves in foreground woman with curly hair looks away from the camera

'A compliment and a whack': Prime ministers reflect on Lowitja's legacy

The late Lowitja O'Donoghue is being remembered for her trailblazing spirit, with leaders acknowledging she changed Australia's relationship with Indigenous affairs.
A close up of an Indigenous Australian woman sitting and smiling indoors, with other people sitting behind her

Lowitja O'Donoghue dies age 91

Yankunytjatjara woman and Indigenous activist, Lowitja O'Donoghue, has died at the age of 91.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 8 minutes 42 seconds

Angel never thought she'd see her niece again, then she saw a handprint at her high school

The vibrant handprint display tells hundreds of unique stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture and unites some of the country's most respected Indigenous trailblazers.
A young woman on the floor next to a wall covered in painted handprints.

A Stolen Generations class action settled eight months ago. Descendants are yet to see a cent

Eight months after their $50 million class action settlement was finalised with the Commonwealth, descendants of the Northern Territory's Stolen Generations are still waiting to receive compensation.
A group of young Indigenous women sit around a table with a nun who is holding a picture of Jesus up

Queensland government accused of 'modern stolen generation' in class actions alleging discrimination

The Federal Court in Brisbane has been told the Queensland government has racially discriminated against Indigenous children by denying them connection with family and culture. 
Two First Nations toddlers, one holding a teddy bear

'This is truth-telling': At 94, Ruth Hegarty wants you to hear her story before you vote

Aunty Ruth Hegarty lived through a cruel chapter in Australian history. Now aged 94, she's approaching the Voice vote with optimism for future generations.
An elderly woman in a red headscarf stands in front of a wall of family photos

Meeting about ground 'anomalies' at Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Home part of 'truth-telling', minister says

David Harris will meet with the Kempsey Aboriginal Land Council and Stolen Generation survivors to discuss the findings of an archaeological report into one of Australia's most notorious Aboriginal boys homes. 
black and white photo of the exterior of the Kinchela Boys Home

NSW government confirms archaeological search at notorious Aboriginal boys home

NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Harris says he is working with survivors from the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home about the next steps following an archaeological search at the site. 
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black and white photo of the exterior of the Kinchela Boys Home

At the age of six, Lois attended the first Aboriginal debutante ball. Soon she'll be at the 74th

Lois Peeler hopes the ball will keep helping future generations of Indigenous women find pride in their identity.
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A woman with long silver hair wearing big yellow beads sits on a log in a beautiful clearing

The bush medicine book healing hearts and keeping the Barngarla language alive

A book, which names medicinal plants in Barngarla, Latin and English, is helping Indigenous children, as well as members of the Stolen Generations, to establish vital connections to country.
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indigenous girl smiling at camera , holding flower of gum leaved tree

Elders tell Stories from the Gulf of Carpentaria

A new short documentary film "Stories From The Gulf" chronicles the history of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 16 seconds

What does it mean to be on Country with Indigenous Elders? Dan Bourchier reflects on a moving assignment

We travelled thousands of kilometres, navigated croc-filled waters and an encounter with a deadly taipan to record the stories of Indigenous Elders on Country for the ABC's One Plus One program.
Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann with Dan Bourchier

'I thought it was just a game': Horrific abuse at the hands of matron at Aboriginal girls home

Telling her truth helps Lorraine Peeters heal from the trauma of being snatched from her parents as a child and sexually abused while being trained to become a servant for wealthy non-Indigenous families.
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A black and white image of Lorraine Peeters sitting on a chair at a table as a young girl

How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders have shaped culture and country for tens of thousands of years

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders share stories and language, culture and wisdom, that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Left to right: June Oscar, Ian Hamm, Fred Hooper, Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann