4.3 Conclusion

So, dear reader, if you get the opportunity to work in the colonial archive, go with an open mind. Remember these files are not just about long-dead people; they are people’s family and ancestors. They are the mother, the father, the sister, the brother, the grandparents, the aunty and the uncle … and so on. They are more than just paper, they are real, they are feelings and emotion, they are human. Treat the information that you find there with respect. Think about ways you can use your knowledge to help other people, not just yourself. Ask yourself, if this were your family, how would you like them to be treated? This nation will never heal until we know more about our history, so we must dig up the past with care and respect.