Yorro Yorro: Everything Standing up Alive: Rock Art and Stories from the Australian Kimberley by Jutta Malnic

$32.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

In a remarkable collaboration, Aboriginal elder David Mowaljarlai and photographer Jutta Malnic rekindle a story that reaches back 60,000 years, constituting the oldest memory of humankind. Yorro Yorro is the story of Wandjina creation spirits and their transformation into ancestor beings and eventually into human form. It is a testament to the cumulative knowledge of the Wandjina people of the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. Yorro Yorro contains more than 120 superb colour photographs, including extraordinary examples of Wandjina rock paintings taken by Jutta Malnic. It also includes historical photographs of the Wandjina people taken by Andreas Lommel in the 1930s. ...Show more

Old Man's Story: The Last Thoughts of Kakadu Elder Bill Neidjie by Bill Neidjie

$34.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

'Right then,' he said with a sigh, and then turned to me with a grin. 'I tell you story, eh!' Then he said something which really floored me: 'I been waiting for you. You been waiting for me.' And so began Bill Neidjie's relationship with English photographer, Mark Lang. Known as 'Old Man' in this b ook, but often called 'Big Bill Neidjie' throughout his life because of his imposing height and strength, Bill Neidjie wanted to record aspects of his life for a younger generation of Gagadju, to help them look after their country and remember its stories - and for balanda, non-Aboriginal people. Told in the old man's words, this beautifully nuanced, impressionistic account allows Neidjie to gently emphasise the issues of importance to him. Old man's story has a very personal inflection with Neidjie's words complemented by Lang's beautiful landscape photos. Structured in the cycle of the seasons, Old man's story provides readers with insights into the annual trans-formation of landscape that are so integral to Neidjie's life story. ...Show more

Dark Emu Black Seeds Agriculture or Accident? by Bruce Pascoe

$35.00 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History | Reading Level: Scholarly/Graduate

Dark Emu puts forward an argument for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer tag for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. The evidence insists that Aboriginal people right across the continent were using domesticated plants, sowing, harvesting, irrigating and storing - behaviors inconsistent with the hunter-gatherer tag. Gerritsen and Gammage in their latest books support this premise but Pascoe takes this further and challenges the hunter-gatherer tag as a convenient lie. Almost all the evidence comes from the records and diaries of the Australian explorers, impeccable sources. ...Show more

Warrior A Legendary Leader's Dramatic Life and Violent Death on the Colonial Frontier by Libby Connors

$32.99 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Connors lays down the hard truth. Not all our warriors were Anzacs. Not all our wars were just.' - John Birmingham, author and columnist In the 1840s, white settlement in the north was under attack. European settlers were in awe of Aboriginal physical fitness and fighting prowess, and a series of deadly raids on homesteads made even the townspeople of Brisbane anxious. Young warrior Dundalli was renowned for his size and strength, and his elders gave him the task of leading the resistance against the Europeans' ever increasing incursions on their traditional lands. Their response was embedded in Aboriginal law and Dundalli became one of their greatest lawmen. With his band of warriors, he had the settlers in thrall for twelve years, evading capture again and again, until he was finally arrested and publicly executed. Warrior is the extraordinary story of one of Australia's little - known heroes, one of many Aboriginal men to die protecting their country. It is also a fresh and compelling portrait of life in the early days of white settlement of Brisbane and south east Queensland. 'An enduring record of one of our greatest heroes.' - Sam Watson, activist and writer 'Deeply considered and powerfully told, this book recovers the entangled history of Aboriginal people and settlers in colonial Queensland, a history which is also Australia's story writ large.' - Associate Professor Grace Karskens, University of NSW. ...Show more

One Thousand Cuts: Life and Art in Central Australia by Rod Moss

$59.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Thirty years ago Rod Moss made his home in the stark beauty of Australia's Centre. Since then, his place in Alice Springs and the traditional lands of the Arrernte has been deepened by his enduring intimacy with the families of Whitegate camp on the town's eastern fringe. In this frank and powerful illu strated memoir, Moss gently uncovers the places where his own family and art intersect with the lives of those in the Whitegate mob. The closely connected Hayes, Johnson, Ryder and Neil families consider Moss one of their own and, through them, Moss shows us the majesty of the land, the necessity of story, the intensity of kin, the madness of violence, the tenderness of friendship, and the rhythm of grief. One Thousand Cuts continues where Moss's highly acclaimed first book, The Hard Light of Day, left off - this time in pictures as much as words. Through Moss's moving stories and his stunning paintings and photographs, we share in and celebrate his everyday life with the Whitegate mob, including their fight for a standard of living that is basic to most Australians. ...Show more

Yamakarra by Liza Kennedy

$59.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Yamakarra is built on the memories of Liza Kennedy (1902-1996). It celebrates a group of Aboriginal people whose country is between Cobar and Ivanhoe in far western NSW and whose story will have widespread appeal. Lack of water in this region meant that the grazing industry did not take hold until the s econd half of the 19th century, so Aunty Liza grew up with people who had been born before that industry took over their country. The level of independence that the Keewong Mob enjoyed during her early years had long been impossible for most other Aboriginal people in South-eastern australia. This is the setting that makes aunty Liza's memories special. This is a great new way to look seriously at history from a people's erspective. - Heather Goodall, Professor of History, University of Technology, Sydney I've been involved with many books, but this is the most important. It's the most valuable and significant work of indigenous storytelling that I know, and it's unique in that it's a book that invites you to sit round the campfire and listen to the stories - and it's enthrallingly written. - Peter Bishop, founding Creative Director (1994-2010) of Varuna, the Writers' House ...Show more

Indigenous Australia for Dummies by Behrendt

$39.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History | Series: For Dummies Ser.

A comprehensive, relevant, and accessible look at all aspects of Indigenous Australian history and culture What is The Dreaming? How many different Indigenous tribes and languages once existed in Australia? What is the purpose of a corroboree? What effect do the events of the past have on Indigenous peo ples today? Indigenous Australia For Dummies answers these questions and countless others about the oldest race on Earth. It explores Indigenous life in Australia before 1770, the impact of white settlement, the ongoing struggle by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to secure their human rights and equal treatment under the law, and much more. Celebrating the contributions of Indigenous people to contemporary Australian culture, the book explores Indigenous art, music, dance, literature, film, sport, and spirituality. It discusses the concept of modern Indigenous identity and examines the ongoing challenges facing Indigenous communities today, from health and housing to employment and education, land rights, and self-determination. * Explores significant political moments?such as Paul Keating's Redfern Speech and Kevin Rudd's apology, and more * Profiles celebrated people and organisations in a variety of fields, from Cathy Freeman to Albert Namatjira to the Bangarra Dance Theatre and the National Aboriginal Radio Service * Challenges common stereotypes about Indigenous people and discusses current debates, such as a land rights and inequalities in health and education This book will enlighten readers of all backgrounds about the history, struggles and triumphs of the diverse, proud, and fascinating peoples that make up Australia's Indigenous communities. With a foreword by former PM Malcolm Fraser, Indigenous Australia For Dummies is a must-read account of Australia's first people. 'Indigenous Australia For Dummies is an important contribution to the broad debate and to a better understanding of our past history. Hopefully it will influence future events.'?Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser ...Show more

Kulurdu Marni Ngathaitya!: A Kaurna Learner's Guide by Robert Amery

$39.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Few resources exist to assist the learner of Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia. This Kaurna Learners' Guide, Kulurdu Marni Ngathaitya!, has been developed as a step-by-step guide for learning to speak the language and to assist teachers of Kaurna language. It assumes no previo us knowledge though, of course, many Kaurna people will know some of the language already. Organised into two main sections, Part One (Chapters 1-16) introduces common words and expressions for use in a range of contexts on topics that are often spoken about, allowing the learner to dive straight into the language. Part Two (Chapters 17-25) guides the learner through various aspects of Kaurna grammar and sentence construction and provides detailed explanation. Language learning is rewarding. Learning Kaurna can provide insights into Kaurna culture and the way of thinking of Kaurna people as they lived in the nineteenth century. ...Show more

The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey

$14.99 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

A timeless classic from the Dreamtime. there are innumerable names and stories associated with the Rainbow Serpent, all of which communicate the significance of this being within Aboriginal traditions. Dreamtime stories tell how the Rainbow Serpent came from beneath the ground and created huge ridges, m ountains and gorges as it pushed upward. the name also reflects the snake-like meandering of water across a landscape and the color spectrum sometimes caused by sunlight hitting the water. Paintings of the Rainbow Serpent first appeared in Arnhem Land rock art more than 6000 years ago, and perhaps as early as 8000 years before the present, as the seas rose after the last Ice Age. today the Rainbow Serpent is associated with ceremonies about fertility and abundance, as well as the organisation of the community and the keeping of peace. ...Show more

Even More Tales From My Grandma's Dreaming by NAIURA

$19.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Tales of My Grandmother's Dreamtime by NAIURA

$19.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Even More Tales of My Grandmother's Dreamtime by Naiura

$19.95 AUD

Category: Aboriginal History

Naiura retells more of the stories that have been handed down by his grandmother and complements the stories with beautiful Aboriginal artwork. A perfect vehicle for all Australian children to learn the "tales" of Indigenous Australians and gain an appreciation of their art. Ages 6+. ...Show more