A unique study of early Aboriginal-white relations in the Western District of Victoria
Jan Critchett challenges some of strongly held opinions about Aboriginal culture- that their only shelters were frail mia-mias, that they were nomadic and had no attachment to a particular area of land, and that they were simple hunters and gatherers. With a particular focus on the Western District of Victoria, known under the Squatting Act as Portland Bay, Critchett begins and ends the book with the story of Hissing Swan or Kaawirn Kuunawarn.
By:
Jan Critchett
Imprint: Melbourne University Pres
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions:
Height: 215mm,
Width: 141mm,
Spine: 20mm
Weight: 432g
ISBN: 9780522845273
ISBN 10: 0522845274
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 31 October 1988
Audience:
General/trade
,
College/higher education
,
ELT Advanced
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
"""and the shout was given that the black fellows were coming""; ""the savage tribes are ... intermingled with us""; ""that's my country belonging to me""; ""when the white people come the water goes away""; ""and yet it is singular so few are met""; ""every gentleman's establishment ... has been molested by the natives; ""more than thirty are said to have been thus laid low""; ""it's too bad to shoot the unfortunates like dogs""; ""the Governor would give them plenty flour, tea, sugar and Bulgarrer""; ""making them feel that they shall not murder and plunder with impunity""; ""if ever anything is done with the natives, it will be by their good example""; ""instances of violent collision ... are now rarely heard of"""
Dr Jan Critchett is an Associate Professor of Australian Studies at Deakin University. She is also the author of Untold Stories (MUP 1994).
