gives people information about tracking down their families;
finds people's families;
talk to people's family members;
supports people when they meet their families;
assists people who have been adopted, fostered or raised in institutions;
lets the public know about the harm caused by the removal of Aboriginal children;
puts people in touch with other services may need, such as counselling;
privacy, trust and confidentiality.
People, who may or may not have already confirmed their Indigenous heritage, may be trying to establish their family history. In this case Link Up Caseworkers would make a referral to Family Information Resource Bureau, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Battyre Library, AIATSIS, State Museums , Libraries or Genealogical society.
Carnarvon Mission Reuion: A Wangka Maya Link Up Project.
DVD available from Wangka Maya for $15.00
Why do we need Link Up?
Since proclamation in 1836, governments introduced a range of laws to address 'issues' regarding Aboriginal people. While these laws originally sought to 'protect' Aboriginal people by keeping them away from the British, they soon changed focus to 'civilise' and then 'train' Aboriginal people to become part of the modern world. Finally, assimilation attempted to blend Aboriginal people out of existence.
The laws resulted in the removal of thousands of aboriginal children from their families, traumatising many generations. Children were placed in church missions, government institutions, and foster/adoptive care far away from their families. Initially foster/adoptive homes were with non-Aboriginal families, however from the 1980's placements began with Aboriginal families.
While many Aboriginal families tried to have their children returned, they were not successful against the government systems.
The 'stolen' children were not only isolated from their families and their country, but they were forbidden to speak their language or practice their culture. Often they weren't told about their Aboriginality, and some were told that they were Greek, Italian, Asian or a descendant of some other culture.
The Stolen Generation resulted in devastation for the community, families, parents, and children. It's effects have been felt by many generations and are still impacting on the community today.
The Royal Commission in Aboriginal Deaths in Custody found that 43 of the 99 deaths it investigated were people who were seperated from their families as children.
Aboriginal people have suffered intense feelings of powerlessness, anguish, loss, grief and bereavement. They have lost their identity, culture, spirituality and land. This has resulted in high rates of depression, suicide, self-injury, violence, and substance misuse as well as other mental and health problems.
To ask for help takes courage and strength.
First contact with Link Up may start with feelings of confusion; uncertainty, frustration, anxiety and anger, there may also be feelings of relief and hope. This is all normal.
Wangka Maya Link Up will ensure complete confidentiality, support, respect and trust to work towards empowering you to take control of and make decisions that will affect your life. You are the only one who knows what is best for you.
Link Up contact details: Lotteries House, South Hedland, WA Mail: PO BOX 2736, SOUTH HEDLAND, WA, 6722 Phone: 08 9140 2422 or 08 9172 3275 Fax: 08 9140 2388 Email:
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