This is a fascinating account of black-white encounters in the Northern Territory, on Groote Eylandt and the nearby mainland, from the beginning. Andrew McMillan has lived in the Territory since 1988 and through Aboriginal friends has learnt about a region little known to outsiders. Drawing on his own first-hand experiences and numerous historical sources, this story of contact covers the Indonesian trepang fishermen of the past, the incursions by pearlers, prospectors, cattlemen and punitive expeditions early in the twentieth century, the impact of missionaries, the killing of Japanese fishermen in the 1930s, the flying boat bases of World War II, and the rise of mining, land rights and the land councils. Despite these incursions, the Aboriginal inhabitants of east Arnhem Land have been less affected by white society than those in most other parts of Australia. This is a moving and exciting story of warfare, loss, social and cultural struggle, and renewal
Analysis
Australian Aboriginal studies
Social history (Australia,Northern Territory)
Notes
Previous ed: Duffy & Snellgrove, 2001
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 308-309)