Determined to belong
The journey to rediscover identity and belonging is rarely straightforward, as Angelique Wittwer and her son Samuel Songoa have experienced. For Angelique, a survivor of the Stolen Generations, this journey has been one of reunification, healing, and perseverance. Taken from her family in the Northern Territory as a young child, Angelique was sent to a Catholic mission on Melville Island. She believes she was around five years old at the time, though the exact age remains unclear to her – a poignant reflection of the disorienting and fragmented nature of her early childhood.
“I had no idea why I was on the island, and I was too young to really think. I couldn’t process it,” Angelique shared. “It was just a whole lot of kids all together in a big corrugated iron tin roof shed.”
Angelique stayed at the mission for several years before being adopted by a white family in South Australia, likely when she was around ten. In her adoptive household, her Aboriginal identity was actively suppressed. “My adopted mum never told me anything. She didn’t want me to mix with Aboriginals,” Angelique explained. “She kept me apart constantly.” This enforced separation left her disconnected from her heritage, her culture, and her country, with no understanding of her roots or identity.
As an adult, Angelique spent many years living in Papua New Guinea, raising her children in her husband’s culture. Despite adapting to life there, a deep discontent grew within her. “I was hanging in space up here, I didn’t feel as though I’d got ground under my feet,” she recalled. “I said, no, I can’t, I have a place, and I have to go back to my place.” This unease stemmed from a sense of neglecting her true identity, as though she was denying her connection to her Aboriginal heritage and her ancestral country.
Returning to Australia, however, was fraught with challenges. Having become a Papua New Guinea citizen, Angelique faced obstacles in reclaiming her Australian citizenship and securing it for her children. “They said, we need the original delivery papers, hospital papers for your children to prove that they are actually your kids,” she explained. “It was a long process.” This difficulty underscored the complexities of identity and belonging that Angelique had grappled with throughout her life.
After resettling in Northern Queensland in 1999, Angelique made the life-changing decision to contact Link-Up (Qld) to trace her family roots. After years of piecing together records, Link-Up (Qld) confirmed a connection to Lajamanu, a remote Warlpiri community in the Northern Territory. For Angelique, this marked the beginning of a healing journey – a step towards reconnecting with her family, her culture, and her country.
In June 2023, Angelique and Samuel embarked on their first journey to Lajamanu, supported by Link-Up (Qld). They were accompanied by Link-Up (Qld) support staff Tahj Minniecon and Sharona Joinbee, whose presence provided both logistical and emotional support. The trip involved flights from Townsville to Darwin and then to Lajamanu in a small plane. The moment they arrived, they were greeted warmly by family members who had eagerly awaited their return.
“When I arrived, I just felt I’m home.”
– Angelique Wittwer
Above: Samuel Songoa and Angelique Wittwer visiting family in Lajamanu.
For Samuel, this reunion was transformative. It provided clarity about his heritage and answered questions he had carried since childhood. “Seeing people we were actually blood-related to, that was something we never got to experience before,” he said. Meeting family members and learning about their history offered him a profound sense of belonging.
During their time in Lajamanu, Angelique and Samuel visited family homes, paid respects at the graves of their ancestors, and immersed themselves in Warlpiri culture. They walked on the land of their ancestors, their country, feeling the strength of family ties that had once been severed. The community’s warmth and hospitality left an indelible mark. “It’s my bloodline. Link-Up has helped me start to find my place in life, back in the community,” Angelique shared.
Above: Angelique Wittwer visiting family in Lajamanu.
The trip was not just about reconnection but also about healing. For Angelique, it brought a sense of peace that had eluded her for decades. For Samuel, it laid a foundation for his children to understand their roots and their culture.
“Identity is really important. Now we know where we’re from, and we can write our own stories.”
– Samuel Songoa
The visit to Lajamanu was a defining moment for both mother and son, made possible by Link-Up (Qld)’s commitment to reconnecting families. For Angelique and Samuel, it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey to embrace their heritage, rebuild relationships, and nurture the bonds that had been lost for so long. Their story is a testament to the enduring power of family, culture, and the healing journey.
Published 9 January 2025.
