Stolen Generations is a term that describes First Nations children in Australia who were taken from their families by Australian governments. First Nations, also called Indigenous peoples of Australia and First Australians, are the original inhabitants of the land that is now Australia. They include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The removals of children from their families began about 1870 and continued until about 1970. Thousands of children were placed in institutions, religious missions, and foster homes. In many cases, all ties between the children and their parents ended after they were separated. 
The removals took place as part of British colonial policies, and later, Australian state and territorial policies, to control First Nations peoples and force them to adopt Western culture. Children with both First Nations and white ancestry were particularly targeted for removal. The governments thought that such children would benefit from an education similar to that received by white children. Many people believed that the First Nations children would eventually marry white Australians and that their cultures would die out. After they had entered the foster care system, First Nations children were not allowed to speak their own languages. Government officials changed the children’s names and tried to prevent them from reconnecting with their relatives and First Nations heritage.
Almost every First Nations group in Australia lost children from its community due to these policies. The governments claimed they were taking the children to protect them from neglect. However, many of the children had been in happy, stable families. Many children suffered abuse or experienced harsh conditions in the foster care system.
In 1997, the Australian federal government issued a report on the Stolen Generations called Bringing Them Home: Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. The Stolen Generations became a subject of much debate. Some Australians called for the government to issue a public apology. Others argued that past governments had done what they thought was best for the children. Some members of the Stolen Generations filed lawsuits requesting compensation—that is, payment to make up for what was done to them. After the release of the report, the federal government tried to help people of the Stolen Generations find information about themselves and reunite with their families. 
In 2008, the government formally apologized for laws and policies that caused grief, suffering, and loss for First Nations peoples. However, many First Nations people remained distrustful of government authority. Loading the player...
Kevin Rudd delivers apology to Indigenous Australians
