Näku Dhäruk the bark petitions : how the people of Yirrkala changed the course of Australian democracy / Clare Wright.

Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne, Vic. : The Text Publishing Company, 2024.

1st edition

202435

Native title (Australia) -- History.

Petitions -- Australia -- History -- 20th century.

Yolngu (Australian people)

Aboriginal Australians, Treatment of.

Aboriginal Australians -- Government relations.

Yirrkala (N.T.) -- History -- 20th century.

Arnhem Land (N.T.) -- History -- 20th century.

Australia -- Politics and government -- 20th century.

Prologue: December 1962

Introduction: a bauxite of lies

Part 1. Wet

Waltjanmirri

January: The river of stars

February: I did but see her

Midawarr

March: Fully cocked

April: A piece of outright pillage

Part 2. Dry

Dharratharramirri

May: Dhuwala Madakarij Wana

June: Let us now praise famous men

Rarrandharr

July: The land grew a tongue

August: Trespassers on their own land

Part 3. Build-up

Wolmarmirri

September: Just one of a conquered people:

October: Reeds shaken in the wind

Barramirri

November: Gathering of the clouds

December: Waiting for the message

Conclusion: the right to be heard.

In 1963—a year of agitation for civil rights worldwide—the Yolŋu of northeast Arnhem Land created the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: Naku Dharuk. ‘The land grew a tongue’ and the land-rights movement was born. Naku Dharuk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples. And it is a masterful, groundbreaking history. - Publisher's website.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

9781922330864

xx, 618 pages, 12 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits (some colour) ; 24 cm