Resistance and resisting policies
This information was prepared by Tim Muirhead, CSD Network. Tim is a Perth-Based facilitator and trainer who works extensively in the area of Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations.
Many Australians seem to think that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples surrendered their country without a fight. In fact there were significant wars and battles between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. At least 10,000, and probably more than 20,000 Indigenous people died at the hands of colonisers, and around 2,000 colonisers died at the hands of Indigenous people.
And, as in all wars, these figures are the tip of the ice-berg of the real story. In addition to the deaths, countless others suffered injury and trauma, and the fear that comes from hearing of the killings of other people.
These include 'massacres' that were in retaliation to Indigenous resistance (such as the Pinjarra Massacre), successful raids by Indigenous people on white settlers (such as the Faithfull Massacre) and ongoing local wars, such as the Yolngu wars and the Bunuba resistance.
The numbers of Indigenous people who died in these conflicts are often disputed, but the fact that the conflicts took place is not disputed. Although there wasn't a declared, large scale 'war', there was significant resistance.
Often, organising this resistance was hard. Massacres like Bathurst, Pinjarra and Flying Foam were designed to decimate resistance by killing men, women and children in dramatic and over-whelming reprisal for signs of resistance. In the Kimberley, some pastoralists created a workforce for themselves by killing men of the land, and capturing their women and children who were forced into compliance. (Other pastoralists negotiated respectfully with land owners to engage them as a workforce on their own land).
The Indigenous resistance is often forgotten. It seems that, today, we don’t know what to call this part of our history. Thousands died. How did they die? Murder? Massacres? Guerilla warfare? It is a gap in our history. We don’t read of it's heroes or it's victims in our history books, or see memorials to them on our streets.
Known massacres include:
- Black War (Tasmania) (early 1800’s)
- Bathurst (NSW) (1824)
- Pinjarra (WA) (28th of October, 1834)
- Myall Creek (Northern NSW)(1838)
- Faithfull Massacre (near Wangaratta, Vic) (1838)
- Wiradjuri Wars - around the Murrambidgee River (NSW) (1830s and 40s)
- Richmond River Massacre (NSW) (1864)
- Flying Foam Massacre - (North West Western Australia) (1868)
- Barrow Creek Massacre (NT) (1874)
- Yolngu Wars (NT) (1880's - 1900's)
- 'The Killing Times' (East Kimberley, WA) (1890 – 1920)
- Bunuba resistance led by Jandamarra to keep settlers out of the West Kimberley (WA) (1890s )
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Resisting Policies |
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Most of these direct killings had stopped by the early 20th Century. But a new 'front' was created – policies of control, segregation and repression supposedly 'for the care and protection of Aboriginal people'1.
One of the most devastating outcomes of these policies was the forced removal of children.
These policies were resisted in a myriad of ways. Many families simply avoided towns so that their children would not be taken by the authorities. Others had hiding places ready for the children, whenever the police or other authorities came near. Some missions and local authorities worked to protect families and children from the authorities, by taking the families in and ensuring that the children kept in contact with their parents2.
One example of resistance to these policies is told in the book 'Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence'3 - an account of three girls who were taken from their family in Jiggalong (near Newman) and placed in Moore River settlement (near Moora) in Western Australia, as part of the efforts to 'breed out' Indigenous culture. The girls escaped from Moore River and walked 1,600 km across hostile country – a greater distance than many of our celebrated explorers.
The book was written by Doris Pilkington, the daughter of one of the girls. It was based on her mother's memories, and carefully researched using the government records of the time.
It was later made into an internationally acclaimed movie – 'Rabbit Proof Fence' which is readily available on DVD.
Another great Australian film which captures the issues of resistance and colonisation, Babakiueria, is outlined and previewed below.
Babakiueria is now available on DVD at ABC Shops and ABC Online. For more information click here.
| Overview | Babakiueria |
| Director | Don Featherstone |
| Writer | Geoffrey Atherden |
| Genre | Drama |
| Plot summary |
Have you ever thought how Australia would be today if it had been colonised by Aborigines and not the British? BabaKiueria is a humorous look at that scenario, skilfully written by Geoffrey Atherden with excellent direction by Don Featherstone. In this role reversal nothing is left out – historical events such as the removal of children, the land rights debate, the creation of government reserves are all cleverly presented from a black perspective. A challenging but humorous short film, it is a must see for all Australians, especially those who want to see the world through Indigenous eyes. |
| Cast | Michelle Torres as Duranga Manika
Bob Maza as Wagwan (Minister for White Affairs) Kevin Smith as Bunji Gunji (Police Superintendent) Cecily Polson as Mrs. Smith (mother) Kelan Angel as Son Marguerita Haynes Garry Williams Soul Beliear Terry Reid |
| Other |
Geoffrey Atherden was awarded the United Nations Media Peace Prize for this film. |
1 For a detailed reflection on statistics of deaths by conflict, see “ The Statistics of Frontier Conflict��? by Richard Broome - http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/news/story28.html
2 These stories are documented in many books (see 'further reading') and recounted in the memories of Aboriginal people around Australia.
3 Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence - Doris Pilkington and Nugi Garimara. University of Queensland Press
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