Thanks Cheryl, what you said makes sense especially in Walcha where my people were raised. Even now the place has its own 'code of conduct'. I feel sad in my heart that people had to pretend and couldn't be who they wanted to be. Cheryl where is the Darug people from and how did you learn that's where you were from? I hope you don't mind me asking. Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: Cheryl Susan Goh <allawah@pnc.com.au> To: <AUS-KOORI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 7:09 AM Subject: [AUS-Koori] Sharing our stories > Hello Karen, Sam, Lynne and everyone else who has been busy with our list just lately. Its really good to see so much discussion. > Karen you are right about one thing, 'the generation' but I don't think you understand the reasons. We, (Aboriginal people) have been taught to feel shame about who we are, this was part of our destruction as a People. I have written before about the policies being enforce on our people to assimilate us with the view to us becoming 'white'. Fair kids were taken from their families as we know through the stolen generations. Those folks who were able to hid or assimilate into the white society told lies and kept secrets so that their kids would not be taken. They could not afford to tell the next generation the truth about themselves, their culture or their history, they were terrified. > Look at Sally Morgan's novel My Place, Sally grew up believing her family was from India. I talked to a very old man who is related to me he told me we are of Spanish descent. These are very typical stories to cover our brown skin. > Those of you who are just starting your journey of discovery, embrace it and be proud and those who know the stories please share. > Cheryl > Darug descendant > > > ==== AUS-KOORI Mailing List ==== > > >