Let me begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owner’s of this land and extending a warm and sincere thank you to the Noongar people for welcoming us all to their country today. I would also like to pay my respects to the Elders past and present.
Also I would like to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that the following presentation may contain sensitive materials, images, stories of events and Indigenous Australians who are deceased. This may be upsetting or evoke sensitivity. Viewer discretion is advised.
(NEXT SLIDE)
The Pinjarra Massacre or formally known as the ‘Battle of Pinjarra’ (REF) occurred on the 28th of October in 1834
Tensions rose well before the massacre when in 1829 Captain James Stirling and his settlers descended to Australia and established the Swan River Colony. Immediately after arrival, Stirling deemed all Noongar people British and forced them under British law. As time went by the settlers began to take land near the river and use it for farming which consequently drove the Noongar people out. This caused extreme frustration and led to the Noongar people spearing their cattle and even some of the English settlers. Tensions were reaching boiling point as both sides were growing increasingly frustrated and agitated with each other’s antics. This frustration hit peak in 1831 just three years before the massacre, when a British settler shot dead one of Yagan (a prominent leader in the Binjareb Tribe)’s family member. From this point onwards there was a clear line drawn between the two parties. (NEXT SLIDE) On the 28th of October in 1834, Governor Stirling (formerly Captain) led a group of 25 men on horse back up the Murray River in search of the Noongar people. The plan was to “punish any Aborigines in the local area in order to drive home the message that the settlers and their cattle must not be attacked or speared” (REF). A group of approximately 60-70 Noongar people saw these men and preceded to hide in the bushes sensing something was wrong, however Stirling and his men split up and intercepted the Noongar people trying to cross the river. Stirling and his group opened fire. The Noongars retaliated with their spears but unfortunately to no prevail. On this day it was estimated that around 20 to …show more content…
Some of the Noongar people began working for the settlers whilst others still resented them. Due to the killing of so many people from the Binjareb tribe, Governor Stirling was easily able to take control of the Binjareb land without contest. Unfortunately, due to this, there was a massive British influence in their area more so now, this caused the Noongar children began to disregard Bibbulmun law and commit forbidden crimes in their community. Crimes like marrying unlawfully, eating food provided by the British and standing and walking over land considered especially sacred (REF). The Noongar people started dying from diseases that were foreign to them like whooping cough and measles, these illnesses were considered “white men diseases”(REF). Additionally due to the lack of hunting areas now, the Noongar people started eating the food provided by the British like flour, tea, wine, beer and soup. This diminished the appreciation they had for their own food and ultimately started their journey into
Also I would like to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that the following presentation may contain sensitive materials, images, stories of events and Indigenous Australians who are deceased. This may be upsetting or evoke sensitivity. Viewer discretion is advised.
(NEXT SLIDE)
The Pinjarra Massacre or formally known as the ‘Battle of Pinjarra’ (REF) occurred on the 28th of October in 1834
Tensions rose well before the massacre when in 1829 Captain James Stirling and his settlers descended to Australia and established the Swan River Colony. Immediately after arrival, Stirling deemed all Noongar people British and forced them under British law. As time went by the settlers began to take land near the river and use it for farming which consequently drove the Noongar people out. This caused extreme frustration and led to the Noongar people spearing their cattle and even some of the English settlers. Tensions were reaching boiling point as both sides were growing increasingly frustrated and agitated with each other’s antics. This frustration hit peak in 1831 just three years before the massacre, when a British settler shot dead one of Yagan (a prominent leader in the Binjareb Tribe)’s family member. From this point onwards there was a clear line drawn between the two parties. (NEXT SLIDE) On the 28th of October in 1834, Governor Stirling (formerly Captain) led a group of 25 men on horse back up the Murray River in search of the Noongar people. The plan was to “punish any Aborigines in the local area in order to drive home the message that the settlers and their cattle must not be attacked or speared” (REF). A group of approximately 60-70 Noongar people saw these men and preceded to hide in the bushes sensing something was wrong, however Stirling and his men split up and intercepted the Noongar people trying to cross the river. Stirling and his group opened fire. The Noongars retaliated with their spears but unfortunately to no prevail. On this day it was estimated that around 20 to …show more content…
Some of the Noongar people began working for the settlers whilst others still resented them. Due to the killing of so many people from the Binjareb tribe, Governor Stirling was easily able to take control of the Binjareb land without contest. Unfortunately, due to this, there was a massive British influence in their area more so now, this caused the Noongar children began to disregard Bibbulmun law and commit forbidden crimes in their community. Crimes like marrying unlawfully, eating food provided by the British and standing and walking over land considered especially sacred (REF). The Noongar people started dying from diseases that were foreign to them like whooping cough and measles, these illnesses were considered “white men diseases”(REF). Additionally due to the lack of hunting areas now, the Noongar people started eating the food provided by the British like flour, tea, wine, beer and soup. This diminished the appreciation they had for their own food and ultimately started their journey into