Reconciliation Week. Thirty years on from Mabo. The irony in the words of Paul Kelly’s Special Treatment lost on those who oppose the adoption of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Indigenous history and culture are an important part of our national identity.
Through their songs, Indigenous and non-indigenous musicians have highlighted significant events, helping raise our level of consciousness.
Archie Roach is a national treasure. He sings of his life experiences and those of his people. Songs of truth telling and resilience. His example has paved the way for other Indigenous musicians. He has also invested in the future through the Archie Roach Foundation that aims to assist others and “empower them to tell their story through the arts”.
The songs of artists such as Yothu Yindi, the Warumpi Band, Kev Carmody, Ruby Hunter, Goanna Band, Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil and others have also assisted in providing images or relating important aspects of Australia’s history. Furthermore, the input of Neil Murray should not be overlooked.
Two lesser known – but no less – important songs that focus on past events are ‘Jandamarra’ by Paul Kelly and ‘Three Blackbirds’ by Don Walker. The two songs tell stories associated with the establishment of pastoral activities and of the pearling industry by European settlers in the north-west of Australia and the impact on the indigenous inhabitants.
Most Australians know all about Ned Kelly. He is part of our folklore. Was he a folk hero or murdering bushranger? Or both.
But they don’t know about Jandamarra, a Bunuba man from the Kimberley region in WA. I didn’t know his story either until a visit to Broome and the Kimberley outback some years ago.
A skilled horseman, Jandamarra, also known as Pigeon because of his small stature and nimble movements, became a police assistant in order for sheep stealing charges to be dropped. In a dramatic turn of events, he returned to his people, after killing the police supervisor whom he had befriended and whose life he had once saved. Subsequently, Jandamarra became a resistance leader, fighting against those who had encroached on Bunuba land, using his knowledge of the Napier Range, particularly the caves of Tunnel creek, to evade capture.
His story may be read HERE
Or in the book Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance by Banjo Woorunmurra and Howard Pedersen.
Paul Kelly also relates the story of Jandamarra in his book, How To Make Gravy.
Don Walker’s ‘Three Blackbirds’, from the album We’re All Gunna Die, is the epic saga of the human trafficking of the indigenous people of the western desert into the pearling industry by three white men, Harry Hunter, Sid Hadley and Frenchy D’Antoine.
The song is a dark, monumental, eighteen-minute masterpiece.
The slaves were shipped away to sea and thrown among the waves
And some swam back to Frenchy D’Antoine
And these were sold as divers to the pearlers down the coast
And either way the black man had to drown.
Special Treatment indeed.
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE
About Peter Crossing
Peter Crossing loves the pure 'n natch'l blues. He is a member of the silver fox faction of the Adelaide Uni Greys. He is something of a cricket tragic although admitting to little interest in the IPL or Big Bash forms of the game.
Thanks Peter. Very glad to see you shine a light on Don Walker’s Three Blackbirds. A mysterious masterpiece from a remarkable album.
.
Good article, Peter. Jandamara and the Bunuba Resistance is a really interesting book, well researched and very readable. A couple of fine South Australian indigenous artists to note are Glenn Skuthorpe and Nancy Bates.