Elder Ethel Robertson: Stories of Strength and Survival

Ethel Robertson, a respected elder from the Palm Island Aboriginal Community, shares a poignant narrative of resilience and family bonds. Born into a large family of seventeen siblings, Ethel's story is interwoven with the hardships faced by her parents, both victims of the Stolen Generations. 'Our mother was one of the stolen generation,' she recounts, highlighting the forced separation from their ancestral lands. Ethel's father, taken from Halifax to work in cane fields, signifies a history of displacement and struggle that defined their upbringing. Raised on a farm, Ethel and her siblings learned early on the importance of hard work and family unity. 'It was a hard struggle for our mother, raising 17 of us,' she recalls, emphasizing the essential role her older sisters played in supporting their mother, cooking, and caring for the younger ones. Despite the adversities, Ethel recounts the warmth of family traditions, like camping trips led by her mother. 'Mum taught us how to cook and clean,' she says, remembering how these gatherings became rare opportunities for her mother to speak in her native language, a practice forbidden under oppressive laws of the time. These moments served as a crucial link to their cultural heritage, with her mother passing down stories and traditions to ensure they were not forgotten. Ethel's narrative is a testament to the resilience of her family and their determination to preserve their cultural identity against all odds. Her story stands as a reminder of the strength found in community and the enduring power of cultural connection.