Change wanted: Local Indigenous community members, including Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenor and Kaitheban, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Bobby Nicholls, don’t want to see any more children being removed from families
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As part of the 14th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations Breakfast, Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenor and Kaitheban, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Bobby Nicholls said there are “still (Aboriginal) children being removed”.
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“We’re in 2022 this year and there are still children being removed for whatever the reasons are,” he said.
Mr Nicholls referred to the Taskforce 1000 where community service organisations, Aboriginal community controlled organisations and the Commission for Children and Young People worked in “critically analysing the experience of Aboriginal children in and out of home care”.
He said there was “horrible” information found and the number of Indigenous children taken from their families by social services have “have more or less increased” since the report.
“What would you feel like if I was to come along as an Aboriginal person social worker, and said, sorry, you’ve got no food in your cupboard so I’m going to take your children away?” he asked the attendees.
“The government back then are still stealing children from our Aboriginal mothers and fathers”.
There were speeches and music performances surrounding the impact of the Stolen Generations on the past and future.
Music activism: Neil Morris is a local artist who performed hip hop music addressing concerns as a local Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai Illum Wurrung, Wiradjuri man
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City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said at the event (then Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd’s apology in 2008 “provided a beginning for healing and light the foundation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to continue to build upon and shape our collective futures as a nation”.
She spoke of the importance of First Nations history in schools and how there was “more to do” for First Nations issues.
“As a community, we have a responsibility to continue the momentum of reconciliation and respect and to recognise, reflect and celebrate the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
Mr Nicholls appreciated Greater Shepparton City Council’s presence at the breakfast, but told The News he would like to see more support from the councillors on the issue of the removal of Indigenous children from their families.
“There have been major recommendations made, but those recommendations haven't been fulfilled,” he said.
“They (the Councillors) could move a resolution or a motion to say that we want to put up whoever is in government at the time to say that look, you know, there has to be some change.
“They need to push that up to the state and the Commonwealth government departments.”
As the event was about to close after a music performance, one woman spoke from her seat, again raising her concerns on the continued removal of Aboriginal children.
“You all came here to apologise, then why are you still doing it, you are still taking our children?” Warlpiri Elder Audrey Anderson asked.
