Australia’s Stolen Generations refers to the unknown number of Aboriginal children that were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to live in Christian missions, foster homes or with foster families. This practise was in place from the 1890s – 1970s. The ultimate goal of this policy was assimilation of Aboriginal people into the dominant culture. This goal echoes that of the Canadian government’s residential school policy for Canada’s Indigenous children during roughly the same time period.

One seemingly different aspect of the Australian policy of removing children from the Canadian government’s policy of sending children to residential schools is the the Australian aboriginal children were permanently removed from their families. Unlike Canadian Indigenous children they did not return home during summer vacations. When Aboriginal children turned 18 they were released from care. Many could not remember their names or remember much about their families. Some were removed as babies and thus knew nothing of their families. Part of reconciliation in Australia involves trying to reunite individuals with their families.

In is interesting to consider that two similar policies occurred in two different countries, on two different continents during a similar period of time.