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THE MARGUK PROGRAM
BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY
Education Resource Pack
FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
About this Section
COLLATED BY KAMARRA BELL-WYKES
WITH CULTURAL & ACADEMIC CONSULTANCY BY RACHEL CUMMINS & LYNORE GEIA
PHOTOS BY PONCH HAWKES, HEIDRUN LÖHR AND FRANK MAINOO
ABOUT THIS SECTION
In the following section you will find a range of information, discussion
points and activities that examine the themes, issues and historical content
presented in BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY. To this day Australia’s traumatic
history continues to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
This section looks at just some of the issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people, as you move through it try to keep an open mind,
although you may have your own ideas and opinions this is an opportunity
for you to walk in someone else shoes and look at the other side of the
story, “the unheard story.”
Watch: “We just want them to understand.”
https://vimeo.com/album/3201661/video/116224582
(To watch enter password: B1day)
Currently the inclusion of the full history of Australia in the national
education curriculum is under parliamentary debate1. It is important to note
that Aboriginal people drove the debate on the inclusion of Aboriginal
history in schools over many decades, with support from various sectors of
Australian society2. The information in this education resource will provide
some insight into Australia’s Aboriginal history. In effect, you are part of the
first generations of school students to have the opportunity to learn about
aspects of the full history of Australia, highlighted through the community
of Palm Island in this play.
Pre-colonisation – Before 1788
Much has been documented on the period of pre-colonisation, the years
before 1788. The First Australians who are the Aboriginal people lived in
what we now know as Australia. Aboriginal people lived on their lands as
discrete nations of people. It is believed that there are over 500 nations
living at this time with their own languages, customs and practice.
Aboriginal peoples had a well-structured and functioning society. When the
First Fleet arrived on the shores, many noted that Aboriginal people were
in good health, and free of disease (Franklin and White, 1991)3. It is
generally believed that Aboriginal peoples lived an active healthy life style
in relationship with the land, people, and creation beings (Sherwood,
2010)4. Their law believed to be passed down by spiritual beings and
through their ancestors dictated their lives and the relationship to the land.
Their active and supportive kinship lifestyle prevented sedentary life style
diseases and mental distresses. (Trudgen 2000)5.
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/australian-aboriginal-history-timeline
http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-pre-contact
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7
Contact and Colonisation – From 1788 onwards
The arrival of the English First Fleet in 1788 was the beginning of
colonisation for Australia. It brought destruction to the system of living of
the Aboriginal peoples; initially these changes affected the Aboriginal
peoples in the Botany Bay (Sydney) area. The English did not understand
the way the Aboriginal peoples lived and used the land; they looked upon
the land from their perspective, culture and beliefs; that land ownership
was based on legal boundaries, fences, property rights and agriculture. The
English declared the land terra nullius, a Latin expression meaning “land
belonging to no one” because in their understanding of English and
European land use, the Aboriginal people did not use the land purposefully;
and they believed this essentially gave them the right to take the land for
their own, which they did by force.
http://www.racismnoway.com.au/teaching-resources/factsheets/10.html
8
1
It is important to also note that the English did not enter into any
negotiation with the Aboriginal people about the use of the land, hence
there was no agreement or treaty made. The result of colonisation was that
Aboriginal people were disposed of their land; European titles and
boundaries were built distinguished by fences, posts, and permanent
physical land dwellings. This acquisition totally dismissed the existing
Aboriginal traditional land boundaries that were marked by the knowledge
system of natural geographical boundaries passed down through their
ancestors.
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline-1770-1899
9
http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1500-to-1900 10
http://www.supportingcarers.snaicc.org.au/2.5.html 11
The raising of the Union Jack flag signaled that the land was claimed by
England and immediately became English territory. It was the beginning of
great change for Aboriginal people. This claim made the way for
occupation.
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline-1900-1969
http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1901-to-1969
12
13
Examine: Look at the image below and identify concepts and words that
would relate to what colonisation would mean to Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people.
Artist Algernon Talmage, 1937 - The Founding of Australia 1788.
•
•
Who is present/absent in this picture?
What might the Aboriginal people be thinking as they viewed this
act from the cover of the bush?
Occupation of the land resulted in the massacre of thousands of Aboriginal
people, those who survived were violently removed from their traditional
countries and forced to live in areas set aside by the governments.
(Reynolds, 2006)14. These areas were identified as Aboriginal reserves and
church missions; there are documented accounts of the treatment of
Aboriginal people on the reserves and missions that reveal a life of hardship
and punishment in the belief that the Aboriginal people would die out.
2
On Palm Island (as in many other places) the Aboriginal people and Torres
Strait Island people were punished for speaking their languages and
practicing their beliefs. Children were separated from their parents even
when they lived on the same island. It was a common belief that Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people were a weaker and less superior race and
that they would eventually die out. The Australian Government developed
many policies that through the eyes of the traditional owners appeared as
legal and systematic oppression of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait
Island people.
“The aboriginal inhabitants are treated exactly in the same way as the wild
beasts or birds the settlers may find there ... Their goods are taken, their
children forcibly stolen, their women carried away, entirely at the caprice of
the white men.” (The Queenslander newspaper, 1883, quoted by Kidd 1994
on page 83).
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/bringing-them-home-report-1997
15
Research: The Human Rights Webpage and examine the Bringing Them
Report – find the sections on Victoria and Queensland and the treatment of
Aboriginal people.
Discuss:
• How this treatment has impacted on the lives of Aboriginal people
today.
• Why do places like Palm Island still experience the legacy of these
past policies?
• What do you think needs to happen in Australia to address the past
and present trauma so that the future generations can move forward
in a positive way?
In the face of death, trauma and ongoing social disadvantage since 1788
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Island peoples survived and continue
to have connection with their land and kinship relationships. Aboriginal
culture and Torres Strait Island culture is dynamic and strong and has
moved with the advent of technology. It could be described as a very
sophisticated culture as the people are able to walk in two worlds; their
own world and the white Australian world. It is important to note that
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Island peoples fought and stood
together for justice and a better way of life in Australia. This change
happened slowly, and many non-Indigenous supporters stood in solidarity
and took action to fight for Indigenous rights. The following milestones and
events in Australian history are significant for both Aboriginal Australia and
White Australia.
• 1965 Freedom Rides;
• 1967 National Referendum;
• 1992 Mabo Native Title High Court Case;
• 1997 Recognition of the Stolen Generation;
• 2007 Northern Territory Intervention
• 2008 Prime Ministers Apology to the Stolen Generation;
• 2015 Closure of 150 Aboriginal Communities in Western Australia.
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline-1970-1999
http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1970-to-present
16
17
There are also significant events in Victorian history such as The
Coranderrk Rebellion, and the establishment of organisations like the
Victorian Aboriginal Advancement League.
3
Explore: This website is the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Studies (AIASTSIS) and is the official knowledge repository
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. http://aiatsis.gov.au/ 18
Watch: The following video clips of significant historical events and discuss
the significance of each.
Charles Perkins 1965 Freedom Ride
http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1554/
19
Faith Bandler – 1967 Referendum
http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1025/
20
PM Kevin Rudd delivers the Apology -
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/our-people/apology-to-australias-indigenous-peoples
Cathy Freeman wins 400m sprint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOVhDUkmIvk
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22
Reflect: The concepts respect, listen and understand are very important
concepts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. What do they
mean to you, your family and Australia?
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1
Smith A. (2014). Aboriginal history "crucial" for national curriculum, says schools submission, The Sydney Morning
2
Rogers, J. (2014). The national curriculum - knowing their truth about Australia's history Retrieved March, 2015,
from https://www.reconciliation.org.au/news/the-national-curriculum-knowing-the-truth-about-australias-history/
3
Franklin, M. and I. White (1991) The History and Politics of Aboriginal Health. The health of Aboriginal Australia. P.
Trompf and J. Reid. Sydney, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
4
Trudgen, R. (2000) Why Warriors lie down and die. Darwin., Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc.
5
Sherwood, J, (2010) Do No Harm: decolonising Aboriginal health research, Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, University
of New South Wales.
6
Creative Spirits 2015, Australian Aboriginal History Timeline.
Available from: <http://www.creativespirits.info/>
<http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/australian-aboriginal-history-timeline> [10th October 2014]
7
Australian Museum 2015, Indigenous Australia Timeline – Pre-Contact. Available from:
<http://australianmuseum.net.au/>
<http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-pre-contact> [2nd February 2015]
8
NSW Government, Education and Communities 2013, Teaching Resources, Fact sheets, Terra Nullius. Available
from:
<http://www.racismnoway.com.au/index.html>
<http://www.racismnoway.com.au/teaching-resources/factsheets/10.html>
th
[5 December 2014]
9
Creative Spirits 2015, Australian Aboriginal History Timeline(1770-1889). Available from:
<http://www.creativespirits.info/> http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline1770-1899 [10th October 2014]
10
Australian Museum 2015, Indigenous Australia Timeline – 1500 to1900. Available from:
<http://australianmuseum.net.au/> <http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1500-to-1900>
[2nd February 2015]
11
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care 2013, History. Available from:
<http://www.supportingcarers.snaicc.org.au/2.5.html>
[17 March 2014]
12
Creative Spirits 2015, Australian Aboriginal History Timeline(1900-1969). Available from:
<http://www.creativespirits.info/> <http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline1900-1969> [10th October 2014]
13
Australian Museum 2015, Indigenous Australia Timeline – 1901 to 1969. Available from:
<http://australianmuseum.net.au/> <http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1901-to-1969>
[2nd February 2015]
14
Reference: Reynolds, H. (2006). The other side of the frontier: Aboriginal resistance to the European invasion of
Australia: UNSW Press.
15
Australian Human Rights Commission, Bringing them home report (1997). Available from:
<www.humanrights.gov.au> www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/bringing-them-home-report-1997
th
[24 March 2015]
16
Creative Spirits 2015, Australian Aboriginal History Timeline(1700-1999). Available from:
<http://www.creativespirits.info/> http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/aboriginal-history-timeline1970-1999 [10th October 2014]
17
Australian Museum 2015, Indigenous Australia Timeline – 1970 to present. Available from:
<http://australianmuseum.net.au/> <http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-timeline-1901-to-1969>
[2nd February 2015}
18
th
AIATSIS 2014, AIATIS, Available from: http://aiatsis.gov.au/ [24 March 2015]
19
2006 – 2015 DL Home,Charles Perkins Freedom Ride. Available from: <dl.nfsa.gov.au>
http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1554/[24th March 2015]
5
20
2006 – 2015 Home, Faith Bandler – 1967 Referendum. Available from: <dl.nfsa.gov.au>
http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1025//[24th March 2015]
21
Australia Government, Apology to Australia’s Indigenous people. Available from:
<www.australia.gov.au><http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/our-people/apology-to-australiasindigenous-peoples> [24th March 2015]
22 Cathy Freeman Wins 400m Gold - Sydney 2000 Olympics, 2010 (video file), Available from:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOVhDUkmIvk> [24th march 2015]
6
ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY
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Kamarra Bell-Wykes
[email protected]
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ILBIJERRI acknowledges the support of the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation and Gandel Philanthropy for providing seed
funding for the Education program.