During which years did the policy affecting the stolen generations take place?

The policy affecting the Stolen Generations took place from 1915 to 1969. This period is significant as it encapsulates the time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families by Australian federal and state government agencies and church missions. The motivation behind these policies stemmed from a belief in the need to assimilate Indigenous peoples into white Australian society, which had devastating impacts on Indigenous communities and cultures.

The timeframe covers the introduction of various laws and regulations aimed at the removal of children, including the Aborigines Act and the half-caste policy, which sought to separate children based on their perceived level of Aboriginal heritage. Policies persisted until changes began to emerge in the late 1960s, leading towards acknowledgment of the rights and identities of Indigenous peoples. The period is vital in understanding the historical context of trauma and displacement faced by Indigenous Australians, which continues to have repercussions today.