18c Without Consent: the Challenges and Rewards of Creating an Archival-based Exhibition when the Archival Record isn't there. An Examination of the National Archives Forced Adoptions History Project
Tracks
Collaboration and Advocacy
| Wednesday, October 19, 2022 |
| 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Presentation Type
Traditional Paper -- Moderator: Barbara Reed
Session Information
Addressing Silences: The papers in session 18 address silences in archives, there either because the records were never created, they were lost or destroyed, or they were created ‘about’ a group of people who became mute ‘subjects’. These initiatives are presented from different organisational perspectives and resulting different approaches. Each speaks to the potential to constructively disrupt existing practice; respond to damage done by past actions; and bring change and reward.
>>>
Ms Caroline Webber
Director Public Programs
National Archives of Australia
Without Consent: the challenges and rewards of creating an archival based exhibition when the archival record isn't there. An examination of the National Archives Forced Adoptions History Project
>
On 21 March 2013 former Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard offered a national apology to those affected by the past policies and practices of forced adoptions. The apology came after decades of lobbying, state inquiries and eventually a Senate Inquiry. In response to this report the government adopted 20 recommendations.
As part of the national apology the National Archives was commissioned to deliver Recommendation 20. The concrete deliverable included a website to identify and share forced adoption experiences, an education program based on the national curriculum and an exhibition to increase awareness and understanding of the experiences of individuals affected by forced adoption practices. The project was responsible for raising awareness of the impact of forced adoption policies and practices. The National Archives of Australia’s Forced Adoptions History project was established in June 2012 under a MoU with Department of Social Services.
The challenge for the National Archives is that the records that may have existed about individual forced adoptions do not reside with the National Archives - they are state or private organisation records. As with all challenges this presented us with an opportunity to curate differently.
This national apology - and the recommendations from the Senate Inquiry - sit alongside other national apologies bringing to the fore the traumatic affects caused by other devastating past policies and practices. The Stolen Generation; Former Child Migrants and Forgotten Australians apologies sadly reflect Australia’s post World War II social history.
This paper presents the many facets of successfully delivering a project of this nature arguing a case that cultural institutions as public spheres are uniquely placed to explore, interpret and present challenging and sometimes traumatic topics such as forced adoptions. That the challenges and difficulties bring change and reward.
As part of the national apology the National Archives was commissioned to deliver Recommendation 20. The concrete deliverable included a website to identify and share forced adoption experiences, an education program based on the national curriculum and an exhibition to increase awareness and understanding of the experiences of individuals affected by forced adoption practices. The project was responsible for raising awareness of the impact of forced adoption policies and practices. The National Archives of Australia’s Forced Adoptions History project was established in June 2012 under a MoU with Department of Social Services.
The challenge for the National Archives is that the records that may have existed about individual forced adoptions do not reside with the National Archives - they are state or private organisation records. As with all challenges this presented us with an opportunity to curate differently.
This national apology - and the recommendations from the Senate Inquiry - sit alongside other national apologies bringing to the fore the traumatic affects caused by other devastating past policies and practices. The Stolen Generation; Former Child Migrants and Forgotten Australians apologies sadly reflect Australia’s post World War II social history.
This paper presents the many facets of successfully delivering a project of this nature arguing a case that cultural institutions as public spheres are uniquely placed to explore, interpret and present challenging and sometimes traumatic topics such as forced adoptions. That the challenges and difficulties bring change and reward.
