Yaama Aunty Adelaide,

Can you tell us your tribe/clan name? Bundjalung

Can you tell us the traditional owners of your current place of residence? Tharawal

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

“I was born in Grafton in 1938.

I was taken away from family at 4.5 years old with two sisters, and taken to Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls. My three younger sisters were taken to Bomaderry Aboriginal Childrens Home. Our three brothers were taken to Kinchela Boys Home. We had no idea that we had three younger sisters until late in life. Sadly, one of them passed as a young child and one of my brothers passed away as a teenager. Nobody will ever truly understand what went on in those homes.”

Aunty Adelaide has a strong spiritual connection to the land and to her mother. She has been searching for her gravesite all these years. She hears her calling her name when she searches.

Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

What does this mean to you as a Stolen Generations Survivor? What are your hopes for First Nations people’s futures?

“Always Was, Always Will Be means a lot to me, how the land was taken from us by white people. It is still being destroyed. It makes me sad. All the animals we used to take care of, that my mother and ancestors used to hunt only for food, but also protect. The bushfires which could be prevented with proper Aboriginal burning practices – the Koalas losing their homes.

We need to care for and protect it.

The land will always be Aboriginal Land when you walk on it.”

cootagirls #NAIDOC2020 #cootagirlsaboriginalcorporation

photo source: screenshot servant or slave