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Clip description
Narrator Rachel Perkins gives the historical context to the lives and situation of this episode’s focus individuals – Simon Wonga and William Barak. Writer Bruce Pascoe of Boonwurrung heritage and historian Professor Janet McCalman expand on the cultural and spiritual losses experienced by Aboriginal people in Victoria and Wonga’s vision for the future.
Curator’s notes
Because the south-eastern regions of Australia were first to experience colonisation, the Indigenous people living there were the first to lose their liberties, culture and even lives to the invaders. After 70 years of occupation it would have been clear that the British were not going home and life was never going back to normal for Aboriginal people.
People like Simon Wonga and William Barak were obviously realistic about what could actually be accomplished after so much decimation to their people and culture. Despite popular belief that they were on the way to extinction, they were still determined to survive and make some sort of life. Their stories are devastating and inspirational at the same time; their ability to adapt to such oppositional circumstances shows the strength and intelligence of these men.
