My Stolen Generations story: how Brenda was taken from her family, twice

As a young child, chunks of Brenda Matthews' early memories were missing until her biological mother told her the truth of what happened. Together they are slowly healing

Wiradjuri woman Brenda Matthews was stolen from her family, along with her six siblings, when she was two-years-old.

She came from a loving, hardworking, religious family.

She was fostered by an affectionate white family, and she blended into her new life happily.

After six years of living with them, she was told it was time to return “home” to her biological family — who she didn’t remember at all.

For most of her life, Brenda suppressed her memories of her white parents and their love and care. 

Then, as an adult, she worked up the courage to bring both sides of her family together, so they could all slowly heal.

This episode touches on family history, the Stolen Generations, memoir, life stories, ancestry, modern history, origin stories, personal stories, epic storytelling, reflection, grief, loss, exploration and memory.