Telling Our Stories – Our Stolen Generations (Florence Onus)

Summary

Florence Onus shares her family's traumatic history of institutionalization and forced removals due to policies of protection and assimilation in Australia. Despite intergenerational trauma, she emphasizes the importance of healing through various therapies and promoting education to raise awareness about indigenous history.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Florence Onus comes from the Buau nations and the Kyrie B Jugal people in Central Queensland.
• 👵👴 Her great-grandparents were forcibly removed from their land and sent to Morab Binda Aboriginal Reserve.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Her grandparents and mother were also sent to Warinda, and her sisters were taken to live with Catholic nuns.
• 👶 Florence and her siblings were taken from their mother and sent to an orphanage and then a foster home.
• 💔 The family has suffered intergenerational trauma, including alcoholism and attempted suicide.
• 🌱 Florence has been on a healing journey for 25 years, using both Western and cultural therapies.
• 🎨 She has participated in art therapy, visual art, dance, and song as part of her healing process.
• 👩‍🏫 Florence believes in the importance of education and awareness to heal and understand indigenous history.
• 🗣️ There is a lack of awareness among non-indigenous Australians about the reasons for indigenous healing.
• 🌐 She advocates for the inclusion of indigenous history in education at the state and federal levels.

Q & A

What is Florence Onus's heritage?

Florence Onus is of Aboriginal Australian heritage, with her father's side being the Bu people from the Townsville down to the Berin and Bowen region, and her mother's side being the Guguyal language group from Central Queensland.

How many generations of Florence's family have experienced institutionalization?

Four generations of Florence Onus's family have experienced institutionalization through policies of protection and assimilation.

Where were Florence's great-grandparents forcibly removed to?

Florence's great-grandparents were forcibly removed to the Moorabinda Aboriginal Reserve.

What happened to Florence's mother and her siblings when they were young?

Florence's mother and her siblings were sent to Warinda when they were very young children.

What happened to Florence's eldest sisters as children?

Florence's two eldest sisters were forcibly taken and sent to live with Catholic nuns.

Where were Florence and her two siblings sent as children?

Florence and her two siblings were taken from their mother and sent to a local orphanage in Townsville, and then to a foster home.

What impact has the history of institutionalization had on Florence's family?

The history of institutionalization has led to intergenerational trauma, loss, alcoholism, and attempted suicide within Florence's family.

What decision did Florence make about her own children?

Florence decided that when she became a mother, she would ensure her children would never be removed from her.

How long has Florence been on her healing journey?

Florence has been on her healing journey for the past 25 years.

What types of healing therapies has Florence participated in?

Florence has participated in Western therapies such as seeing psychologists and counselors, as well as cultural therapies like art therapy, visual art, dance, song, and smoking healing therapies.

What does Florence believe is necessary for moving forward?

Florence believes that the only way to move forward is through healing and that education and awareness are key to understanding the indigenous history.

What has been the reaction of non-indigenous Australians when Florence discusses her healing?

Non-indigenous Australians have often been astounded by Florence's need for healing, showing a lack of awareness about the historical and ongoing issues faced by indigenous people.