This story was shared by Whadjuk Nyungar Elder Dr Gerrard Shaw. Uncle Gerrard’s story is a warning that the injustices of past government policies must never happen again – and what it looks like when government works together with Aboriginal communities. A warning that this story contains reference to the Stolen Generations.

This story was recorded at the Joondalup Reception Centre in September 2023 and made possible with funding from the Australia Communities Foundation.

Gerrard’s story was also translated into Mandarin by Luoyang Chen - you can read the Mandarin transcript on the Centre for Stories website.

To find out more about this project, head to www.centreforstories.com.