'Over the last year, we have seen a number of major developments in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. The context for many of them was the passing of the Native Title Act 1993 by the Federal Parliament—a process in which the point of highest euphoria was perhaps the midnight vote in the Senate on 21 December 1993. As Senator Gareth Evans pointed out in his closing speech prior to the vote's being taken, the vote concluded what had been the longest debate on any bill in the history of the Australian parliament. The previous record holder— and, as he pointed out, not entirely coincidentally— was the 1989 ATSIC bill. The extent of these two debates is an indicator of both, on the one hand, the failure of understanding that still exists in the wider Australian community in relation to indigenous issues and, on the other, the fact that, despite this failure, such issues are now central to the processes of Australian political life.' (Editorial Introduction)
Contents indexed selectively.
'Dream Road, A journey of Discovery is a book of many journeys. It should not be read as history but as Percy Trezise, his story. It tells of exploration into the physical and mythological landscapes of southeastern Cape York. Already fascinated by glimpses of the rock paintings near Laura, Trezise used his aerial perspective as an Ansett Airlines pilot, flying across Cape York Peninsula, to note patterns in the vegetation that might indicate permanent waterholes and rock shelters that might contain paintings. He marked his navigation maps and returned to explore the country by four-wheel drive, on foot or with pack horses.' (Introduction)
'Barry Hill, prize-winning author of social history and poetry, and skilled in numerous other literary traditions, has written a book about Uluru that reminds me of a Mountain Devil lizard—a bit on the prickly side, and with an amazing ability to change colour. One can be irritated by the former, bedazzled by the latter. I make this point at the outset: it is worth hurdling those aspects with which you disagree to appreciate the rest. Whereas Stanley Breeden's book is one that suggests quiet and close observation, and a gentle 'working together' with Anangu people, Hill's book often questions, asserts, confronts and challenges. Hill undoubtedly has the capacity to quietly listen and closely observe, yet he prefers a dialogue with the country, with people of the past whose records can be studied, with Anangu and other friends, and with strangers. This is not a bad thing, but it means that you, the reader, are required to engage your critical faculties, not just go along for the ride.' (Introduction)
'Ben Murray's death at Port Augusta in August 1994 marks the end of an era in the history of the Lake Eyre Basin: Ben was living history.'
'Nancy Bandeiyama Birrabirrapa was not a member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies—but she certainly should have been. She was born into the Anbarra Aboriginal community, belonging specifically to the Gidjingarli (Gidjingali) land-owning unit whose land centres around the beautiful coastal site of Madang-adjira on the eastern side of An-gatja Wana (Big River, ie Blyth River), in northern Arnhem Land. This site is distinguished by a cluster of large, shady fig trees and a deep, cool, freshwater well. An active member of the Jowunga moiety, she spoke Gidjingarli, or Burarra, as her first language. She died in Darwin on 1 February1995, when she had gone to visit her eldest daughter, Nancy Djinbor, who was in hospital recovering from a major operation. At the time of her death, Nancy had been living at the Djibena outstation for several years, with her husband, Frank Gurrmanamana, her immediate family and close relatives. I have been told that right up until her death, she had continued to forage for food with enthusiasm almost every day. Djibena is situated on the edge of a large freshwater swamp called Balbildja, renowned for its fish, geese, long-necked turtles and edible plants. The surrounding open eucalypt forest contains an abundance of wallabies, goannas, yams and fruit trees.' (Introduction)
