Read This: Clare Wright Is Shutting Up and Listening
Dec 7, 2024
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Clare Wright, an award-winning author known for her impactful histories like "The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka," discusses her latest work, "Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions." She emphasizes the importance of Indigenous histories in civil rights and the relevance of the Yerkela people's 1963 Bark Petitions. Clare shares her formative experiences with Australian history and how her immigrant background shaped her perspective. Her transformative journey in Arnhem Land highlights the critical role of listening to diverse voices in enriching our understanding of history.
Clare Wright emphasizes the importance of recognizing marginalized voices in Australian history, particularly those of women and the Yolngu people.
The Bark Petitions exemplify how Indigenous Australians actively engaged with colonial governance to assert their rights and influence contemporary political discussions.
Deep dives
Clare Wright's Contributions to Australian History
Clare Wright is an acclaimed historian known for shedding light on underrepresented voices in Australian history. Her previous works, such as 'The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka' and 'You Daughters of Freedom,' focus on the contributions of women in significant historical moments, revealing how their roles have often been overlooked. In her latest book, 'Naku Daruk: The Bark Petition,' she continues this approach by examining the Bark Petitions of the Yolngu people, which serve as a crucial yet often neglected aspect of Australia's civil rights history, particularly focusing on the year 1963. Wright emphasizes that these historical artifacts and narratives are vital for a comprehensive understanding of Australia's past and for recognizing the voices that have long been marginalized.
Revisiting the Bark Petitions of 1963
The Bark Petitions, created by the Yolngu people in August 1963, addressed critical land rights issues concerning their ancestral hunting and gathering grounds facing proposed mining development. The petition called for the Australian government to consider the perspectives and rights of the Yolngu people before proceeding with any mining contracts. This event occurred within the larger context of the 1963 American civil rights movement, highlighted by Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, demonstrating a parallel struggle for justice and recognition. Wright's exploration of these petitions underlines their essential role in articulating indigenous rights and the fight for representation in Australia.
The Impact of History on Contemporary Politics
Wright's work draws significant connections between historical events and contemporary political discussions, particularly concerning the recent Voice to Parliament referendum and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. By contrasting the struggles represented in the Bark Petitions with current issues faced by Indigenous Australians, she posits that history is not static but rather a dynamic conversation across generations. The Bark Petitions showcased the Yolngu people's ability to adapt their traditional legal frameworks to engage with colonial governance, challenging the notion of Indigenous people as being 'unchanging.' This historical insight encourages a re-evaluation of how Australians perceive their collective past and the ongoing role of Indigenous voices in shaping future policy.
Professor Clare Wright is the author of five works of history, including the best-selling The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and You Daughters of Freedom, which comprise the first two instalments of her Democracy trilogy. On this episode of Read This, Clare sits down with Michael Williams to discuss the final instalment of the trilogy, Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions, which was released in October.
