• Natasha Sreeranj

During the years 1910-1970, Australia witnessed a massive elimination of the indigenous cultures by majorly targeting indigenous children. These children were compulsively abducted from their families as part of the government policies which were put forth by the White settlers. This generation of children who were culturally and natively removed from their families were known as ‘The Stolen Generation’. This policy of removing children continues to traumatise the indigenous communities and individuals. Removal of children from their indigenous heritage was part of the policy of assimilation. Assimilation laid its groundwork on black inferiority and white superiority which encouraged the elimination of the indigenous communities through a natural process. The aim is to assimilate the indigenous individuals into the white communities. Post-abduction, aboriginal children were brainwashed to reject their heritage and forced to imbibe the white lifestyle. Their names were changed or anglicised and they were barred from speaking their mother tongue. Some children were adopted by white parents while many were forced to reside in institutions were abuse was a ritualistic practice. The Stolen Generation had a major impact on the indigenous families and it still continues today. The children who were forcibly taken were physically, psychologically and sexually abused while living in the care of the state or with their adopted parents. In Doris Pilkington’s novel, ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ which was later adapted into a film directed by Philip Noyce, the plight of The Stolen Generation and their families has been highlighted.

postcolonial, aboriginals, the stolen generation, assimilation

"Revisiting ‘The Stolen Generation’: A Postcolonial Analysis of the Film, ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no.80-83, March-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRAF06021.pdf

"Revisiting ‘The Stolen Generation’: A Postcolonial Analysis of the Film, ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no. pp80-83, March-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRAF06021.pdf