Reconciling with Oneself – Self-loathing and the Stolen Generations: A Human Library Event

 

Image credit: Michael Loke https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

The Stolen Generations

Did you know that over one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are descended from members of the Stolen Generations? Many of those survivors who were brought up in public institutions or fostered into white households have been left with deep scars which are often passed onto their kids.

The complex challenges faced by the Indigenous community today are a direct result of this dispossession. Things have been taken – family, land, language, culture, identity – and in the case of the Stolen Generations sometimes they lost their self-respect. Growing up being taught to be ashamed of their aboriginality often led to feelings of inferiority that have significantly impacted their wellbeing and relationships in later life.

Towards Reconciliation

Reconnecting to what was lost remains an ongoing challenge of the Reconciliation Movement. Azure Beach Public library, in partnership with the Human Library organisation, is hosting our first Human Library event; which hopes to get to grips with these identity issues and talk about the importance of reclaiming culture as Australia moves torwards Reconciliation.

Image Credit: DrRandomFactor https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_map_of_Australia_%28Aboriginal_Australian_Flag%29.png

What is a Human Library?

Attendees will have the opportunity to borrow one of eight human ‘books’ who were members of the Stolen Generations or their descendants and ask questions about their experiences in an informal conversation about how they have ‘reconciled’ with their own identity. This event, held during NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, will encourage reconnection with culture and language and truth-telling to combat the lingering effects of dispossession.

For more on NSW Aboriginal Language Week visit the Aboriginal Languages Trust website:

https://www.alt.nsw.gov.au/

Event Details

Date: Saturday 26^th October

Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm

Location: Azure Beach Public Library, registration desk in lobby

Cost: FREE. Limited tickets available

Booking information: Register now at the Azure beach Public Library Events webpage.

If you require further information about this event, please visit the ABPL website or contact us at;

Email: events@azurebeach.gov.au

Phone: (02) 12345678

Contact person: Rhys Wilson

#HumanLibrary #Community #Reconciliation #StolenGenerations #TruthTelling #AzureBeachPublicLibrary #AboriginalLanguagesWeek

By R. Wilson

My Country; Our Community: NAIDOC Week Human Library Event

 

Coming Soon: My Country; Our Community

Celebrating the special connection our Aboriginal community members have with Azure Beach - a Human Library Event.

"Bundeena” by Eric Opena ( Bundeena NSW | 28 Feb 2021: Bundeena takes its name from an … | Flickr) by Eric Opena is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

What’s a Human Library Event you ask?

As part of the Human Library® movement, the event involves a living breathing person agreeing to be an “open book” and be borrowed by a Reader – that is to sit down for a conversation. 

The Human Library® Organization began in Europe in 2000 and has grown into a world wide movement, breaking down barriers and stereotypes, though the power of conversation.  For more information on this movement, check out  Unjudge someone - The Human Library Organization

What’s does it involve?

We’ll be opening the event and the Azure Beach Main Branch Library with local Aboriginal elders giving a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony in the Library Courtyard at 10 am on Saturday 8 July 2023.

Afterwards four Aboriginal members of our community will be available for conversations about their lives, their experience, their connection to the beautiful Azure Beach area and being part of the wider Azure Beach community.  

Come and have a chat with any one of:

• ·       Jessie - local high school teacher, find out about her journey from Azure Beach to the city to get her teaching degree, and her return home to teach at the school she was once a student.  
  
  
• ·       Bill – once a promising football star whose career was cut short due to injury and who came home to Country to heal and now works as a youth social worker.
  
  
• ·       Maisie – one of the “Stolen Generation” – learn about her trials and triumphs as she sought to find out where she was from and establish a connection with her lost culture.
  
  
• ·       Bob – retired local who worked for many years in fishing boats along the coast and who knows this Country like he knows the wrinkles on his hands.

It’s part of Azure Beach’s NAIDIC Week celebrations

For some community members this will be an opportunity to gain an understanding of the indigenous experience in Australia, to break down stereotypes, foster understanding and consider different points of view.

For indigenous community members it's an opportunity to talk with someone who shares a common connection to Country, but whose path and perspectives may be different.

For more information on NAIDOC week and Local Council’s NAIDOC Week celebrations see www.naidoc.org.au and www.ablocalcouncil.nsw.gov.au

 

This Event is Free,

 but Bookings for Books are essential.

When: Saturday,  8 July 10am – 1pm

Where: Azure Beach Public Library – Main Branch, 1 Coastal Road Azure Beach NSW 2777

Bookings: Reserve your Book by:

·       Calling the Library on 7777 8888

·       Emailing the Library at Libraybookings@azurebpl.gov.au

·       Registering online at www.eventbrite.com.au/AzureBeachPL/MyCountryOurCommunityHumanLibrary

Bernie Banbury