Anna Haebich investigates how the West Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs archives (1898-1972) have been utilised by Indigenous writers/researchers.
'...The title refers to the file of the child Rene Baker, held in the Western Australian Department of Native Affairs. This removed child later became Rene Powell, one of the authors of this book. We reviewers were not able to emulate the way the narrative is divided between Rene as the tragic heroine and Bernadette as the Greek chorus, but will attempt a dialogue between one reviewer who was herself removed (Jilpia) and one who grew up once believing such removal was done with ‘good intentions’ (John). It need hardly be said that such intentions pave the road to Hell.' (Introduction)
'...The title refers to the file of the child Rene Baker, held in the Western Australian Department of Native Affairs. This removed child later became Rene Powell, one of the authors of this book. We reviewers were not able to emulate the way the narrative is divided between Rene as the tragic heroine and Bernadette as the Greek chorus, but will attempt a dialogue between one reviewer who was herself removed (Jilpia) and one who grew up once believing such removal was done with ‘good intentions’ (John). It need hardly be said that such intentions pave the road to Hell.' (Introduction)
Anna Haebich investigates how the West Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs archives (1898-1972) have been utilised by Indigenous writers/researchers.
