Aborigines Move Forward

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32164, 6 December 1969, Page 4

Aborigines Move Forward

The Rood tq Mewanjum. By Malsie McKsusle. Angus and Rebertoen. 294 pp. Like their wMto-sklnnod brothers, Aborigiaeo are capable of rising to thp heights or sinking into the depths. The influential factor is the white people they come into contact with, says Mrs MeKonzie in her interesting yet slightly condescending history of the Presbyterian Mission to the Worore tribe in Kimberley, Western Australia. Her story tells of the unique development of the mission wMch started in 1912 In a primitive, two-roomed, corrugated-iron house built by three intrepid white missionaries in a remote inlet surrounded by bush Inhabited by what were believed to bo ferocious natives. It ends with the picture of Mowam jum, a thriving and close-knit community of Aborigines who live in Christian-sponsored "apartheid” on the outskirts of the town of Derby and yet who are, claims the author, an integral part of tiie community of Derby.

Mowanjum, Mrs McKenzie says, is an extraordinary experiment in integration. The mission's policy is to help the Aborigines to participate fully in the life of the Derby community without loss of their identity as a people or of pride in their rich cultural achievement At a time when the official Australian government policy of assimilation is very much open to question (the case of Albert Namatjira is quoted to illustrate the problems) she feels that the mission's experiment in integration deserves elose study. An aboriginal Isolated from his group finds it hard to identify himself with anyone. At Mowanjum there is a sense, of belonging, the Aborigines can discuss their problems,give each other mutual

support and keep alive their traditions. Mr* McKenzie’* history tells how the first missionaries to the Worora tribal lands soon made friends with the “ferocious” natives and found them to be an intelligent race, full of self-confidence and pride in their community. From the outset paternalism wm not tolerated in any shape or form and the missionaries were careful to avoid a patronising, judgmental and moralistic attitude.

When tin Misciqn moved inland to Kunmunya in 1816 it had become a centre for about 500 natives wfao re turned there after their hunting tripe in the bush or on the coast There they could obtain wort in return for food and receive medical treatment and education. The oourago and dedication of the atiostonarlM hM been the thocM alt tfiroueh tiie years. In those early days they felt that they wore in perpetual conflict with the area with Its harsh, onemting dimste, the loneliness, the rugged terrain end the array of insect , plagues. Outstanding service

was given by the Rev. J. R. i B. Love and hto wife Margi arot who spent 13 years at Kunmunya whore Mr Love i tan the mission wiflb a policy ' of education and example.' ■ Hl* aim was to mm on th* . boat of white civilization and ! to encourage the AboriginM to retain the best of their , inheritance. He respected , their culture, encouraged > them to retain Ito signifi- , cence and dignity and yet , rightly hoped that Christian . love and concern would over- , come the fears and superoti- , tlon* and frequent tribal ( HMlng* and cruelties. • A milestone in the history t of the Mission occurred in i 1951 when It moved to ■ Wotjulum to be joined by ■ two neighbouring tribe*. Th* I wartime decline of the tribe

was halted, tiie morale of the and M»e birthrate increased. However it soon became obvious that ths new site did not hive the necessary potential for the people and five year* later th* momentous decision wo* mad* by th* tribespeople themselves to move to a cattle station near Deity which would solve all the Mroblems of isolation, educatraining, employment and better medical facilities. They settled down at Mowanjum in a ouiprisingly short time considering that , this was the first experience . most of them bad of Ufe near a town and soon gained a . reputation for being a lawabiding community. Today . Meh family own* a small house amongst the trees, th* children go to school in , Derby each day in the , Mission bus and most of the . men wort in the town. Formerly foeticide was a I common, practice, and the ted ’ women of the tribe were put . out in the bush to die. Now . birth control ha* bora Introdueed and there are epedal . facilities and pensions for the . elderiy.

Most of the adults have experienced two different worlds. They were born into a primitive, nomadic Ufe in the bush and are now living out their lives akin to white clvUtoation. Regrettably, there to no integration in death—whilst the white Derby folk are buried beneath tombstones in the cemetery, th* AboriginM are buried in a strip of scrub on the outskirts of ih* graveyard, and are identified only by a number on a metal tab. Mrs McKenzie records that prejudice is not confined to the ignorant but is also typical of th* attitude of many educated and intelligent white people. “Aborigines are not yet treated a* individuals, some good, some bad, some wise, some foolish, some clean and some dirty. They are lumped together and labelled; and labels stick."

There seems to be scope for much more Government help. The mission desperately needs more adequate housing, but the authorities’ present policy of assimilation does not allow for the erection of homes on mission property. Also more adequate training is needed for future mission staff, and nothing to being done about the trlbespeople’s longing to go back to their tribal grounds for an occasional visit This book skirts gracefully around the appalling treatment which has been the Aborigine’s lot elsewhere in Australia. The author contents herself with paying tribute to dedicated missionaries and rpeople who in 50 years have achieved a social evolution which it took white people centuries to reach. There are 30 interesting photographs, also a map and index.