Reconciliation and Social Justice Library

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Bringing them Home - Community Guide

A guide to the findings and recommendations of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families

This report is dedicated to the generations of Aboriginal children taken from their families and communities, who are still searching for home, and to the memory of the children who will never return. It is dedicated to the mothers, fathers and families of the `stolen generations'.

To those who told their stories to the Inquiry, we extend our deep thanks and admiration for finding the courage and strength to bear witness.

We may go home, but we cannot relive our childhoods. We may reunite with our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, communities, but we cannot relive the 20, 30, 40 years that we spent without their love and care, and they cannot undo the grief and mourning they felt when we were separated from them. We can go home to ourselves as Aboriginals, but this does not erase the attacks inflicted on our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, by caretakers who thought their mission was to eliminate us as Aboriginals.
-- Link Up (NSW)

Quotes in this guide appear in italics. Most are not sourced. However, all references can be found in the full Report where details of the witness or author are provided.

This publication is copyright © to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 1997.