Telling Our Stories - Our Stolen Generations (Aunty Julie Black)

Summary

Julie Dolores Black, a 64-year-old Aboriginal woman, shares her heartbreaking story of being taken from her family as a child and adopted by a non-Indigenous family. She recounts her early years marked by abuse and neglect, including being locked in an outside toilet for hours. Despite the hardships, Julie's spirit remained unbroken as she longed for her real family. Her journey of self-discovery led her to reconnect with her Aboriginal roots and find her biological mother, ultimately healing her soul and embracing her true identity.

Takeaways

• 👶 Julie Dolores Black, a member of the Stolen Generation, was taken from her family at a young age.
• 🎉 She was initially given the nickname Siri Kookaburra by her mother due to her big smile at birth.
• 🏠 An adoptive family took her in for Christmas when she was four, and she ended up being raised by them.
• 🔐 She experienced abuse, including being locked in an outside toilet for extended periods.
• 🐸 She was subjected to derogatory comments and physical punishment, which were dismissed by her welfare officer.
• 🏥 Despite her desire to draw and paint, she was told she would become a nurse, aligning with societal expectations for her.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 She was falsely told that she was a product of rape, which affected her sense of self-worth.
• 🎨 In Taree, she observed the strong bonds and love within Aboriginal families, which contrasted with her own upbringing.
• 🗓️ On her 25th birthday, she embarked on a journey to find her biological mother, which led her to Wall Canyon.
• 🤝 She was reunited with her mother, an emotional and healing moment that connected her with her Aboriginal heritage.
• ❤️ Being with her own 'mob' or community provided a sense of belonging and helped heal her 'Aboriginal soul'.

Q & A

What is the name given to Julie by her adoptive family?

Julie Dolores Black.

What nickname did Julie's biological mother give her at birth?

Siri Kookaburra.

Why was Julie adopted by a family in Wollongong?

She was adopted because there was no one to look after her, and the family had already adopted another Aboriginal girl.

What was the punishment Julie experienced at her adoptive home?

She was locked in an outside dunny (outhouse) for hours at a time.

What was the name of Julie's teddy bear that survived her childhood?

Teddy.

What did Julie's welfare officer say when she reported being flogged?

The welfare officer said that if Julie was being flogged, she deserved it and that she was a 'little black savage' who should be educated whether she wanted to or not.

What was Julie told about her parents and her conception?

Julie was told that her father was an old man who raped her mother, and she was born out of rape.

What did Julie find out later about her biological parents?

Julie discovered that her parents were young and in love, and her conception was not a result of rape.

What was the expectation for Julie's future career?

She was expected to become a nurse, despite her desire to draw and paint.

How did Julie find her biological mother?

On her 25th birthday, with the help of new friends, Julie went to Wall Canyon and found her mother, Patsy Blackens.

What did Julie feel when she was with her Aboriginal family?

Julie felt a sense of belonging and healing for her Aboriginal soul when she was with her own mob (family).