Valerie Wenberg reflects on her traumatic childhood as one of the Stolen Generations in Australia, where she and her siblings were forcibly taken from their mother, resulting in the deaths of two siblings in state-run institutions.
Valerie Wenberg shares her painful memories of being forcibly removed from her mother during Australia's Stolen Generations, a time when Indigenous children were taken from their families. Valerie discovered her mother through a photograph, and the realization of her lost childhood deeply impacts her. Valerie and her siblings were separated and placed in different institutions; tragically, two did not survive the circumstances of their detention.
Living in various children's homes, Valerie faced significant challenges, including being transferred to the Cootamundra Aboriginal Girls Home at just nine years old. Here, she found a sense of community with other girls but was also subjected to a harsh upbringing, trained to become domestic servants. This institutional life not only stripped the children of their familial ties but also exposed them to various forms of abuse, including the violence Valerie endured at the hands of a station owner when she was sent out to work.
Valerie's story is a harrowing reminder of the intergenerational trauma caused by these government policies. It serves not only as a personal narrative of loss and survival but also highlights the broader implications concerning the ongoing recognition and reconciliation efforts in Australia regarding the Stolen Generations. The experiences of Valerie and many others shed light on the need for continued dialogue and systemic change to address the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Australia.
