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https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-why-its-time-to-move-beyond-truth-telling-to-indigenous-resurgence-236143>
"In the early 1840s, the first European to invade the country between the
Murumbidgee and Galari rivers shot camp dogs at a place called Burrowmunditroy
to intimidate Wiradyuri people into leaving their own land.
His niece recorded that within days 1,500 warriors were gathered nearby ready
to attack. Painted for battle, the warriors formed a line, then charged the
homestead. The terrified white people inside braced for the onslaught.
But when the warriors got 50 yards from the homestead, they suddenly stopped,
squatted on the ground and broke into a song.
Their leader, Cobborn, was respected by both Wiradyuri and white people. He
forced the white man to take part in a 24-hour formal ceremony, at the end of
which each warrior assured him of their forgiveness. They confronted him about
his behaviour, then forgave him because that was required of them as warriors.
Before leaving, the warriors gifted him cut bark to help him build his house.
The ceremony gave him an opportunity to reflect on his actions and learn more
about the people whose land he had taken.
In the long run, the process did little to alter how ideas about race impacted
Wiradyuri lives. The ceremony only reinforced the man’s belief in the
inferiority of Aboriginal people. Within a generation, the descendants of the
warriors who participated in the ceremony were not able to live Wiradyuri
lives. They no longer controlled their land. Most could not speak their own
language."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
