SYDNEY ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FIND FINAL RESTING PLACE 3 MARCH, 2005 19Th and 20Th Centuries As Colonial Souvenirs and for Ethnographic Study
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www.asgmwp.net Autumn 2005 SYDNEY ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FIND FINAL RESTING PLACE 3 MARCH, 2005 19th and 20th centuries as colonial souvenirs and for ethnographic study. Not NORTH HEAD, MANLY, NSW until the late 20th century have some of I was asked to write this article for Elimatta these people, our ancestors, begun to be about this moving ceremony because I was returned to their own lands to rest in their privileged to be there. It’s a hard task for rightful place. me, not only because of the content, but “When the Europeans invaded, they didn’t remains to develop Repatriation Policies because I am by blood a Queenslander, just take our land, they also stole the for the correct and dignified return of although born and lived most of my life in bodies of our people. They thought we these people. Sydney, part of it on the Northern Beaches. were going to die out, so they wanted to This initiative has been taken by three So I have decided to liberally quote (in measure and study us in the names of Australian institutions, to their credit: the italics) from the Metropolitan Local science and progress,” Mr Welsh said. National Museum of Australia (Canberra), Aboriginal Land Council Media Release of “But we didn’t die out and today we took the Australian Museum (Sydney) and the 3 March 2005, particularly its excerpts our ancestors to their final resting place, in NSW Department of Environment and from the excellent speech given by Rob their own country, with their own people.” Conservation (DEC). Welsh, Chairperson of MLALC , at the Mr Welsh said that later on, other bodies opening of ceremonies. “Our people will never forget what of Aboriginal people were uncovered happened to their ancestors all those years Clair Jackson during building work and stored away. ago, but we can’t fault the modern The remains of 14 Sydney Aboriginal On the news recently an item stated that approach of DEC and the two Museums. people found their final resting place in the human bones had been unearthed in road Their vision and hard work has meant that Sydney Harbour National Park at North construction in Gallipoli, Turkey. The today we will not only be burying the Head today. The reburial, organised by the Australian Government requested work remains of our ancestors, but also some of Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, is stop immediately for their identification and the bitterness and misunderstandings of part of the largest ever repatriation of reburial as they may be bones of Australian the past,” Mr Welsh said. Aboriginal remains from Australian or Turkish soldiers from the ANZAC Lisa Corbyn, DEC Director-General, Mike Museums to a metropolitan Aboriginal campaign and should be awarded their Pickering, Director of Repatriation Unit, community in NSW. Metro Land Council dignity. I do not in any way wish to deny National Museum of Australia, and Frank Chairperson, Rob Welsh, said the bodies of rightful dignity to these war dead; I merely Howarth, Director of the Australian the Aboriginal people were originally taken wish to draw a parallel and open an Museum, represented their organisations from the Manly area. avenue for thought and comment. and spoke about their Repatriation policies, This was not only an emotional and This reburial at North Head was a direct plans and commitment. dignified occasion but also a historic one. result of the long road of activism by Mr Welsh urged other government For one hundred years, Aboriginal people Aboriginal people in Australia and around agencies and research institutions to follow from many parts of this continent have the world and their supporters. Long the example of DEC, the Australian petitioned British and European countries entrenched attitudes here and in many Museum and the National Museum of and Australian institutions for the return of countries have been slowly changing Australia. their people from scientific institutions and through this groundswell. So that it is now Continued Page 2… museums, where they were sent in the possible for institutions which hold human Autumn 2005 1 ELIMATTA Continued from Page 1… knowledge and tradition; knowing that they grandmother. The Metro trainees “We hope that the examples set by the are the bearers to future generations. You respectfully carried the thirteen others: Australian Museum and National Museum could see it on their faces and in their girls the women, boys the men. of Australia will encourage other movements. The burial site was in a prepared bush institutions that the benefits of building As we know, most of these people being clearing and the dear people were understanding with Aboriginal people far returned probably died of smallpox within reburied. The bush was still – deep outweigh the scientific value of continuing one year of British arrival in 1788 – one quietness of remembrance, love, to hold on to the remains of our label read ‘Balmoral Beach’. The Welcome acknowledgment, sadness, joy – rightness. ancestors,” he said. to Country was performed by Allan As we wound our way down the bush “The NSW Department of Environment and Madden, Education and Cultural Officer, path, about halfway down, white cockies Conservation is still the only Land Metro Land Council and a Welcome Home turned up chortling and smaller chucklings Management agency in Australia that has by Elder Beryl Beller. woke and rustled and the breeze returned. an Aboriginal repatriation program.” At the end of the speeches, Rob Welsh The spirits were pleased. DEC Director-General, Lisa Corbyn, said announced that all present could be at the Myself, I was given a gift – which I won’t the Department has been actively working reburial, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. tell, in the same way as I didn’t tell the with Aboriginal communities in NSW to This gesture was welcomed with discreet ceremony – so I didn’t stay for the lunch return Aboriginal ancestral remains, as tears by some; the full spirit was tangible. but walked off through the bush (thanks DEC recognises and acknowledges the The smoking (for purification – for the NPWS). I was told that the good lunch was cultural significance of the repatriation spirits) began as we entered the prepared quiet, confident and happy – perhaps still process for many Aboriginal communities. area for speeches, below the burial site, awed. We had all talked long and gently Also that “DEC is committed to ensuring and continued at the burial site. As we left, before the ceremonies. the process is made accessible for all after the welcomes and speeches, we all I have tears now in writing this down. Aboriginal communities to have the passed through the purifying smoking onto Guringai are not my specific people, but opportunity to participate and seek the the bush path, single file. The bush itself their spirits welcomed me as a youngster return of their ancestral remains.” went still then – no breeze, no rustlings, when I lived in their country. They are Both the remains and site had been no bird noises – still. strong, proud east coast blood, as my prepared for the reburial by Metro Land During the speeches, smoke wafting, we people are and generous, as they let me Council site management trainees. stood and sat around the clearing, around feel at home here. They are our ancestors “Last year Metro employed 14 young these fourteen Guringai people, men, and the backbone of this continent for all Aboriginal people as site management women and one baby, who were each our history – from ‘Dreamtime to trainees. Our trainees prepared the wrapped around in their shrouds of soft Machinetime’. And yay! this old lady is remains in the traditional way and helped paperbark tied with reeds, lying again on dancing! because these Guringai today are identify and prepare the burial site.” the earth of their country. home again! And this is where I’d like to come in, as I almost forgot to say it was a clear, bright, Clair Jackson one of the most moving aspects of the early autumn Sydney day, hottish with a ceremonies for me was to see these 14 lovely sea breeze. young Indigenous people, young women The first Guringais to enter the bush path and young men, being given and accepting were the mother and baby, carried by Elder their place and importance in the Beryl Beller, who is a mother, auntie, REMEMBERING PAULINE McLEOD Pauline Mc Leod died on May 22, 2003. have been established. Sponsored by the Pauline was recognised as a Master Story Eastern Region Local Government Teller, both nationally and internationally. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum People, young and old, were spellbound the awards aim to recognise those who by her stories. She was also a poet, an have worked diligently in promoting actor and an animator – and a special Reconcilliation. friend of our Group. Nominations for these awards close on In rememberance of this wonderful Friday May 13, 2005. woman, two awards, the Pauline McLeod For further details contact Award for Reconcilliation and the Pauline Patrizia Favorito 9399 0941 McLeod Youth Award for Reconcilliation, Artwork by Nikki McCarthy Autumn 2005 2 ELIMATTA 2005 GURINGAI FESTIVAL Join members of the NO BOOKINGS are being taken for the film Aboriginal Support Group to this year. The cinema doors will open at commemorate the National 9.30am for the 10am screening. Day of Healing on Thursday The third GURINGAI FESTIVAL event May 26, the seventh organised by the Support Group is the anniversary of Sorry Day. LINKUP Film Screening and panel of The venue is the Scout Hall, speakers on Monday July 4. The film to Bilarong Reserve, Wakehurst be screened which shows the work of Parkway, North Narrabeen, Linkup is from the haunting series Missing, from 6.15pm until 8.30pm.