The Stolen Generation

Social Studies Online

• Play this instrumental track from Yothu Yindi, one of Australia's leading contemporary Aboriginal bands: 'Gapu', from Tribal Voice CD, (1992). Imagine what the song might be about. Close your eyes and rest your head on your desks while you listen and let 'sound pictures' form in your mind.

• Record feedback, eg. "Where are the traditional homelands of Aboriginal people?", "How did they live their lives before white settlers came?", "What are some of their traditional beliefs?", "What other traditions still survive today?"

• 'Gapu': This song, from the Gumatj Clan of North Eastern Arnhem Land, is about the salt water. It describes the ocean water coming in and creating the full tide then going out again. You may be surprised to learn that many Aboriginal clans have coastal homelands, many hundreds of kilometres from the desert.

• Note that Indigenous Australians include Aboriginal 'Clans' or 'Bands' and Torres Strait Islanders. Europeans called the people Aborigines but they prefer indigenous Australians or simply and more accurately, their clan name - eg. Kuringai, Pintubi, Milmenrura, Wailbri. For further information, check out Notes for Teachers.