dvR_031027

On a tour through Minjilang community, focused on the remaining infrastructure of the Mission Time (1944-1967): The Methodist Mission on Croker Island was established as a home for children of mixed European and Aboriginal descent. Until 1972 government policy was to assimilate indigenous people of mixed descent into European society and culture and to ensure intermarriages with Caucasians rather than Aboriginals. To more easily facilitate these aims, governmental agencies and church missions removed indigenous children of mixed descent from their families and raised them in children's homes, such as on Croker Island. These children are now commonly referred to as the "Stolen Generation". The two informants, themselves members of the "Stolen Generation", describe the function of the different mission buildings, and talk about their childhood and growing up on the Mission on Croker (Emily Hansen, and Florrie). Once the missionaries started to set up their institution, the Marrku people, who are traditional owners of Croker Island, and who happily agreed to a church settlement on their land, were told to stay away from the Mission. To push this policy through, the first super intendent burnt down their huts at the beach. The Marrku people moved camp to the western side of the island (Palm Bay). In the early 50's the Mission changed its policy, allowing the traditional owners and their visitors from other language groups to work for the Mission in return for rations. Further more, the children of the traditional owners of Croker Island were allowed to attend the Mission school