Portraying the stolen generations
In the interest of Bennelong
Government House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
May 26-June 4, 10am-4pm
This display of photographs, text and indigenous art evoking the issues affecting the stolen generations and their legacy is being launched at NSW Government House by the exhibition's patrons on the first National Sorry Day.
"A panorama of photographs with accompanying text will illustrate the time line of suffering, survival and hope. The display will highlight to the viewer the absurdity of white law to indigenous people and the justification that it was in their 'best interest'", said the exhibition's co-curator, Tess McLennan.
"Kinchela was a place where they thought we were animals. You know it was like a place where they go around and kick us like a dog. We were treated so bad — if you say to people today — people say, 'Sorry we never heard about it'", a man separated in the 1940s and sent to Kinchela Boys Home told the 1995-97 stolen children inquiry.
Submitted to the attorney-general in April 1997, the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing them Home, estimates that more than 100,000 indigenous children were stolen from their families under laws that were not formally abolished in all states until the early 1970s.
It concluded that the removal of the children was a crime against humanity that amounted to genocide and recommended 54 steps, including that governments, churches and police forces apologise; that a national "sorry" day be declared; and that financial compensation be paid to the individuals and communities affected by this holocaust.
The federal government ignored most of the recommendations.
"Also displayed will be images of family reunification along with their testimonies about being stolen, finding 'home' again and the issue of compensation", said McLennan.
"Some girls go back there to try to mend the torture within them but it's something that will never go away. It will stick with them all their lives. Some I call the wandering souls because where do they go? Some have gone to Christianity, others became alcoholics, others commit suicide and some are in denial", Lola McNaughton, a resident of Cootamundra Girls Home between 1951 and 1961, told the inquiry.
"Governor Arthur's 1828 pictorial proclamation, which suggests strong retribution for harming an Aborigine, is reproduced, as are historical journal entries from 1798 describing Bennelong and Colbee, who were the first documented people to be kidnapped by Europeans", said co-curator Aaron Ross.
The historical documents show that indigenous people's fate depended on the personality of the day, said Ross, adding that this hadn't changed.
The exhibition, open to the public from 1pm on May 26, is being produced in partnership with the Historic Houses Trust, the NSW Community Arts Association and ATSIC. For more information on the exhibition, phone (02) 9931 5222.