Checkpoints

1)      The Aborigines were the first settlers on the Australian continent. Where did they come from?

The Aboriginals came from the Asian mainland, more than 40 000 to 50 000 years ago.

2)      The Aboriginal population was halved quite soon after the European arrival. What was the reason for this?

The first settlers brought unknown diseases to the new country, like smallpox, and this was the reason to why the population halved in few years.

3)      Aboriginal children were taken away from their homes for more than 100 years. How many children are believed to have experienced this?

There were approximately 100 000 children taken away from their homes and families between 1869 and 1970.

Viewpoint

4)      Why do you think Mr. Howard and Mr. Keating refused to make an official apology?

They refused to make an official apology because they did not want to acknowledge the mistakes and the suppressing they had committed.

5)      Can you think of any other group of people who have experienced something similar? Who are they and what did they experience?

The Sámi-people experienced suppressing behavior, and had very few rights. They were not allowed to use their own language, and many of their children were sent away to boarding schools.

The Indians were suppressed by the settlers, and were also sent to boarding schools.