“The Other One Was Half and Half, Half-Caste”: A Qualitative Exploration of Colonial Narratives Used to Represent Aboriginal Children by Non-Indigenous Foster Carers in Australia

Sharynne Hamilton; Raewyn Mutch; Sarah Maslen; Millie Penny; Charmaine Pell; Larissa Jones; Carol Michie; Alison Walton-Blane; Melissa O’Donnell; Carrington Shepherd; Brad Farrant

doi:10.1177/11771801261453932

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“The Other One Was Half and Half, Half-Caste”: A Qualitative Exploration of Colonial Narratives Used to Represent Aboriginal Children by Non-Indigenous Foster Carers in Australia

Journal article

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“The Other One Was Half and Half, Half-Caste”: A Qualitative Exploration of Colonial Narratives Used to Represent Aboriginal Children by Non-Indigenous Foster Carers in Australia

Sharynne Hamilton, Raewyn Mutch, Sarah Maslen, Millie Penny, Charmaine Pell, Larissa Jones, Carol Michie, Alison Walton-Blane, Melissa O’Donnell, Carrington Shepherd, …

AlterNative : an international journal of indigenous peoples, 11771801261453932

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801261453932

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Abstract

Aboriginal

colonial narratives

epistemic violence

foster care

identity

subaltern theory

Since colonisation in Australia, dominant western narratives have continually undermined the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through a lens of subaltern theory, this article explores how Aboriginal children, their families, and their communities are spoken for and about as members of subaltern communities by non-Indigenous foster carers. The findings reveal how the narratives of foster carers can continue to perpetuate colonial harms, undermining the cultural identity, connectedness, and wellbeing of Aboriginal children living away from their kin, families, and communities in out-of-home care. To stem this erosion of culture, and the continued silencing of Aboriginal voices, a true commitment to safeguarding children’s cultural connectedness and placing children in accordance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles must be prioritised.

Details

Title: “The Other One Was Half and Half, Half-Caste”: A Qualitative Exploration of Colonial Narratives Used to Represent Aboriginal Children by Non-Indigenous Foster Carers in Australia
Authors/Creators: Sharynne Hamilton - University of Canberra
Raewyn Mutch - Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Sarah Maslen - RMIT University
Millie Penny - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Charmaine Pell - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Larissa Jones - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Carol Michie - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Alison Walton-Blane - Curtin University
Melissa O’Donnell - University of South Australia
Carrington Shepherd - Curtin University
Brad Farrant - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Publication Details: AlterNative : an international journal of indigenous peoples, 11771801261453932
Publisher: Sage Publications; LONDON
Number of pages: 11
Identifiers: 991005902122807891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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