1905+Act+-+Emma

Emma Nelson

Resource one: 1905 Aboriginies Act. 'An Act to make provision for the better protection and care of the Aborignal inhabiants of western Australia'. The Act calls for any person of Aboriginal decent ('half-caste' or full blood') who is associated with the Aboriginal way of life or is under 16 live in accordance with the Act. Under the Act Aboriginal peoples are controlled through the newley appointed Aboriginies Department which purpose is to provide food, clothing, medicine and medical assistance and a Chief Protector of Aborigines, who shall be the legel guardian of all Aboriginal children under 16. Almost every aspect of life is controlled through the Act with restrictions to employment, welfare, social irelationships, alcohol consuption, education and lega rights to their children. Children can be removed from their families through the Chief protector of Aborigines and intentionally dispossesed and re-homed in an unfarmiliar environment/location. National Library of Australia Digital Collections. (n.d). 1905 Aborigines Act. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.aus-vn672744-2x

Resource Two; 1905 Aborigines Act - SBS First Australians Professor Anna Haebich provides a summary of the effect of the 1905 Aborigines Act discribing it a a product of the time. Anna describes t he disgust of Stanley Middleton who saw the Act as the most diabolical legislation even in comparison with all other legislation, due to its control over every aspect of Aboriginal life. This insight from Anna gives a compacted and useful summation of the Act as well as criticism from Government such as Aboriginal Affairs minister Stanley Middleton.

SBS. (2002- 2008).First Australians. Retrieved from []

Resource Three:

Letter from William Harris (Native Union) to the Sunday Times, 14 November 1926. Spawning from the backlash of the 1905 Aborigines Act in Western Australia, Harris’ condemnation of the treatment of Indigenous Australians provided a platform for Indigenous feelings and concerns to be heard. In his letter Harris articulates the intolerable conditions endured by Aboriginal people since colonisation. Harris recounts how personally he and his family have been affected by the Act, stating even his grandparents were not given permission to marry for ten years, and were only allowed to do so after Neville saw an ‘advantage’ in Whites and Blacks relationships through the policy of assimilation. Harris’ letter provides a primary source that provides a narrative of the effect the Act has had on Aboriginal people. Perkins, R (ed). (2008). //First Australians an Illustrated History//. Melbourne. Miegunyah Press

Resource four: The film 'Rabbit Proof Fence' tells the story of three young Aboriginal girls (Molly, Gracie and Daisy) who were forcibly removed from their families in 1931 and sent to the Moore River Native Settlement during the era of Neville. It is a true story based on the book by Doris Pilkington Garimara (daughter of Molly) that tells us of their escape and amazing journey home via the rabbit proof fence. This story demonstrates how the dispossession of Aboriginal children through the policy that allowed their forced removal from their families wasn’t isolated to a specific geographic location but rather crossed over affecting Aboriginals groups all over Western Australia. Those in the South West had children relocated to the far North and vice versa. The film version of this story has added dimension as it is easier to digest particularly for younger audiences or those less inclined to pick up a book of this nature. John Winter (Producer). (2002). The Rabbit Proof Fence.[DVD]

Resource Five: Personal narrative by Josey Nangala Farrer a traditional owner of Moola Bulla. The following transcript describes in personal detail the widening effects of The 1905 Aborigines Act that lead to the forced removal of children from their families and homeland and how it is still affecting the current generation, in relation to Moola Bulla in Halls Creek. "Ngarrawarnji is the name given to that area known as Moola Bulla Station  That is the Kija name for that big mountain that is visible to all.   As us Aboriginal children used to say back in the 50s   "That big hill looks like a big DC2 coming out of the earth Nose first, ready to fly away"  And such was our life set to be   Forced to fly away from what was truly ours.   Our Country.   The proper name for Moola Bulla   Where the homestead now stands   Is Juwurriya   But all that area is Ngarrawarnji.   Poor fellow Our Country.....Ngarrawarnji   Where our spirit belongs   Land of our Dreamings   Truly I say this   It is there where our Black People used to live   Where it began in the Dreamtime   White people came   And we were thrown aside   And taken away further down   Long way to Fitzroy Crossing in 1955   Today we are living in Halls Creek   But we still ask and long for our country   To return someday   To Ngarranwarnji" Post Cards from Halls Creek. (1998). The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/rn/awaye/post/Opening/homehk.htm Resource Six To understand the far reaching effects of the 1905 Aborigines Act it is important to understand it in terms of what it was and the social climate that allowed its conception. It was the catalyst that allowed Australia’s already harsh treatment of Aboriginals to morph into sanctioned yet inhumane practices. Despite all the criticisms and The Apology and that (Western) Australia no longer controls the lives of Aboriginal peoples, the fall out is still being felt. The Moola Bulla Station is currently the subject of a native title claim lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal. ‘// The Aboriginal people who were born and raised there and the traditional owners of the area wish to be able to return and visit Moola Bulla Station. They believe that the spirits of their old people are still out there and they want to be able to go back and visit their country, eat bush tucker, take their own children back and teach them about their culture. Richard Northcott, the station owner, is refusing to negotiate with the claimants and is prepared to take the matter to court. //’ This excerpt is taken from the website for Postcards from Halls Creek and articulates simply the importance of land ownership is for the traditional owners in carrying on their culturally enriched lives.

Post Cards from Halls Creek. (1998). The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/rn/awaye/post/Opening/homehk.htm