The term “Stolen Generations” refers to generations of Australian aboriginal children as well as Torres Strait islanders who were removed from their families by the federal government, welfare organizations, or churches in the past. Taking aboriginal children away from their families was a policy that was imposed by the government from 1869 to 1969, and the children were either adopted by white families or sent to native institutions. The white people in Australia started using aboriginal children as servants, guides, and farmhands when they first arrived in the continent. The first native institution was established in Paramatta in the year 1814 to “civilize” native children. Later on, the Aborigines Protection Board was set up to organize the mass removal of aboriginal children from their native dwellings. Many reserves and stations were constructed throughout the continent to house the children. Most native girls were sent to homes where they were trained to provide domestic service. The federal government passed the Aborigines Protection Act in 1909 to give the Aborigines Protection Board the authority to remove native children from their homes. This act was amended a few years later to make it possible for the Board to take any child from his or her family without court order or parental consent. The practice of removing aboriginal children from their homes continued until 1969, when the government abolished the Aborigines Protection Board. Today, there are no records that can give an accurate account of how many aboriginal children were removed from 1869 to 1969. It is believed that the practice of relocating children has affected almost every native family, and it is presently regarded as one of the most inhumane practices that were carried out by the white people in Australia. In the year 1995, a national inquiry was commissioned by the Commonwealth Attorney General to investigate the consequences of the removal of aboriginal children from their families. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission was given the task of conducting the inquiry, and it found out that one third to one tenth of all aboriginal children were taken from their families during the time period when the child removal policy was in effect. The children were removed from their homes because the white people regarded them as an embarrassment to Australia. In the native institutions and foster homes, they were taught to denounce their aboriginal values and adopt the white people’s way of living. Instead of gaining better acceptance in the white Australian society, many reformed aboriginal children experienced racism when they grew up. As a result, they have lost their self-esteem, and some of them are suffering from depression and mental disorders. Also, they have become detached from their cultural and spiritual roots, and they are unable to reestablish a connection to their lands. To show their regret for their inhumane actions, all state governments and governmental departments, as well as many churches have extended their apologies to the aboriginal people. The Commonwealth Government also issued a statement of regret to the aboriginal Australians in 1999, and arrangements were made for the victims of the child removal policy to be reunited with their families. | 
