"Why Warriors Lie Down and Die"
Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:05
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Member - David T (SA)
Hi
I read this book by Richard Trudgen some time ago and thought it gave the best information I have ever read on the problems that aboriginal people have had since
European settlement.
I have just attended a 2 day seminar by Richard, Dr Djiniyini Gondarra and Witiyana Marika (of Yothu Yindi fame) and must say it was the best 2 days I have spent for a long time. Can recommend it if any of you get chance to attend one of these.
They all work for the non profit organisation Aboriginal Resource and Development Service (ARDS) based in Arnhem Land and if only the government would listen to these guys we would go a long way to sorting out the current mess and no they do not want more money thrown at the problem.
If you want to see some of their work check out
http://www.ards.com.au
No affiliation but a whole heap of admiration.
Dave
Reply By: Top End Explorer Tours - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:10
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:10
I agree 100%.
This book should be taught in schools.
Cheers Steve.
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Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:22
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:22
Yep I have the book. Ordred it in on recommondation from Steve(above). Very good read and to the point. When will we ever learn?
Cheers
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Reply By: bv - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:23
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:23
I agree, it is a most wonderful book that should be read by everyone. The more I come to understand Aboriginal culture the more I appreciate the extent to which non-Aboriginal society has denied, and in many ways continues to deny, Aboriginal culture. Another in a similar vein is 'Blacklines: Contemporary critical writings by Indigenous Australians' edited by Michele Grossman.
BruceV
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Follow Up By: Member - David T (SA) - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:29
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:29
Thanks Bruce. Will try to find that one.
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:40
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:40
Gday,
Im not a reader so the chances of me ever reading it are about nil.
If someone like Steve or Willem could tell me a bit about it I would love to hear.
I will admit I am about to leave Alice because Im sick to death of the problems with Aboriginal problems and no longer think it is a good place to bring up kids.
Ive worked in Aboriginal eduction and spent a lot of time on communities and the book Id like to hear be taught in schools is "how to get warriors to stand back up"
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:49
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:49
Hairy
Funny, you seem to read a lot on this
Forum....lol
Just buy the book and get on with it, ya big woos
Really, it is worth it.(if you are interested, that is)
Cheers
FollowupID:
584374
Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:58
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:58
Gday Willem,
What....do you have to read this?
Get with the times mate!!!
My computer reads it out to me.
LOL
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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:57
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 at 20:57
An excellent book along the same lines is "The Fatal Impact" by Alan Moorehead. The subject is mainly the South Pacific area. It demonstrates however how the simplest of contacts between western and indigenous communities can have devastating consequences, even when the European side is
well meaning. It is a thought provoking piece for those who can't understand why indigenous people in all counties have the problems they do.
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Reply By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 05:36
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 05:36
I really appreciate your post David. We just came back from a red centre trip and learnt so much (perhaps introduced to) aboriginal culture. Kids took in a bit too which was great. Gee's, what you see in the media just skews your understanding so much - you only see the bad. I also had a quick look at the book 'In the Name of the Law' and it has some shocking details about the fight for control of the land - want to buy that. cheers JD
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Follow Up By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 05:50
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 05:50
Bugger, $680 for seminar outside NT.......wish Fed gov would see the wisdom of paying to bring these things to the people - i.e. edcuate us ignorant western/city dwellers.
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Reply By: SoloGirl - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 07:15
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 07:15
To add dissention to the ranks here, has anyone read "Balanda" and of course "We of the Never Never?".
I think those two books essentially show the hopelessness of trying to change things...
Having said that I haven't read the book mentioned here and will get hold of it, but I'm in Hairy's
camp with this one.....
Doing "the tourist thing" gives you no idea of all the underlying problems, and I have to say I can't accept that the White Man is responsible for everything that has gone wrong.
Not intending to stir the pot, but I live and work in Alice and it's a different world here.
And I'm also not condoning the bad things that happen and would never say that trying to help is wrong.
My 5c worth...
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Follow Up By: Nic I (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 11:24
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 11:24
Hi SoloGirl,
Different perspectives from the same town.
I lived in
Alice Springs for several years, and by the time I departed my attitude had changed from "It's all the aboriginal's fault" to "99% of the problems are easily identified as being caused by Europeans" (although a tiny minority have been
well intentioned).
Stone Age, territory-stable culture, colliding with Steel Age global colonising culture has resulted in disaster for the former, every time it has happened.
Being informed, sympathetic and at least attempting to help certainly doesn't hurt.
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Follow Up By: SoloGirl - Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 at 07:19
Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 at 07:19
Hey Nic,
Yes, different perspectives and at least trying to understand does help.
I got the book out the library yesterday; wish me luck!
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Reply By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 08:16
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 08:16
Will get my daughter to go to Parap NT and pick a copy up for me.
Sounds like and interesting read.
Brian
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Reply By: Member - Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 12:07
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 12:07
Dave
Thanks for the recommendation.
I have just read 'Another Country' by Phillip Rothwell. You may find that interesting too.
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Follow Up By: Member - David T (SA) - Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 at 08:02
Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 at 08:02
Thanks Bob, I'll look that book up.
Dave
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