Archie Roach, also known as Archibald William Roach, was an Australian songwriter and singer. Often referred as Uncle Archie, he was one of the Aboriginal activists, and now people thinks that he belongs to the Aboriginal people.
Archie Roach was a proud Maar Nation and Bundjalung man. He was also mostly referred as the voice to the hope, pain.
Roach first came to the limelight for his song named Took the Children Away, which also was his solo debut album in 1990.
The song even granted him the Australian Human Rights Awards, which also was added to the National Film & Sound.
Moreover, he often used to credit her wife Ruby as his savior, whom he met on the streets in Adelaide.
After his demise, people are wondering why he used to do a lot for Aboriginal people. They want to know if he is one of the Aboriginals and what’s his heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Archie Roach was one of the few Aboriginal activists left.
- Archie was raised by a Scottish family, which introduced him to music.
- Archie, after finding the tragic news of his biological mother at the age of 16, made him an alcoholic for the next 14 years.
Archie Roach Was a Proud Aboriginal
As he had done so much for the Aboriginal people, fans were curious if he was also from Aboriginal people. Yes, he was a proud Aboriginal or from Stolen Generations.
Archie was born on 8th January 1956 in a proud Maar Nation, Mooroopna Victoria.
He alongside his other family members used to live on Framligham Aboriginal Mission.
Likewise, his family alongside all the Aboriginal people at Cummeragunja were shifted to Rumbalara.
View this post on Instagram
When Roach was just two or three when he with other Indigenous Australian children of Stolen Generations, were forcefully removed from their family by the government.
After going so much through while growing up his, fight for Aboriginal people was for than just a fight.
So, he was not just a normal activist. He was making all the things which he had to suffer as the Stolen Generation, children of Australian Aboriginals.
Archie Roach And His Family Were Of Bundjalung And Gunditjmara Heritage
After Archie was forcibly removed from his family and placed in the orphanage, he was raised by Dulcie and Alex Cox, a family of Scottish who were living in Melbourne.
Though he later moved to Australia his biological family were of Bundjalung And Gunditjmara heritage
Likewise, it was Alex’s Scottish music collection that made Archie develop a keen interest in music.
His step-sister Mary Cox also helped him a lot with music as she taught him keyboards and guitar and also to sing church hymns.
While Alex was at the age of 16 his biological sister Myrtle told that his biological mother Nellie Austin passed away.
We are on the road for my last road tour of NSW/QLD and ACT – tickets are still available at https://t.co/HrH9P66uEP
Great show at the Brisbane’s Princess Theatre last night. Coffs Harbour here we come! Looking forward to Canberra’s National Folk Festival over the Easter weekend. pic.twitter.com/KvuBY9PXAy— Archie Roach AM (@archieroach) April 4, 2022
After the tragic reveal of his mother he was triggered and spent his next 14 years battling alcoholism being homeless.
While he was battling he met his future wife Ruby. The two then became soul mates and had a journey of healing with the help of music.
Soon after a year of marrying each other they started their family of their own.
Throughout his journey, Ruby remained a constant supporter until 2010, when she left the world.
FAQ’s
Who Are Archie Roach’s Children?
Archie and his wife Ruby Hunter, were blessed with two sons, Eban and Amos.
How Many Foster Children Did Archie Roach Had?
Archie had three foster children: Authur, Terrence, and Kriss.
What happened to Ruby Hunter?
Ruby suffered from a heart attack.
