Ancestors' words: Noongar writing in WA government archives (1860-1960s)

This project aims to produce the first account of Noongar letter writing in Western Australian archives from 1860 to 1960. The project’s significance lies in revealing this hidden activism in the archive, restoring silenced Noongar stories to the documents, advancing scholarly understanding, and promoting decolonisation of the Western Australian archive. Expected outcomes include an ethical Noongar research model and community research knowledge space developed with Noongar leaders. This new evidence of Noongar political agency could benefit sustainability for the emerging Noongar nation and advance equity and reconciliation for all citizens of the Australian settler nation and advocacy for Indigenous rights internationally.

Output(s)

Ancestors’ Words: Nyungar letter writing in the archive

Type

Book chapter

Authors

Catherine Noske (ed)

Publisher

Westerly Centre

Publication date

2019

Rights notice

All academic work published in Westerly is peer-reviewed. Copyright of each piece belongs to the author; copyright of the collection belongs to the Westerly Centre. Republication is permitted on request to author and editor.

File

Ancestors-Words.pdf

Link

https://www.westerlymag.com.au/wp-content/uploads/edd/2019/12/Ancestors-Words.p…

Exemption and Nyungar Letters in the West Australian Archives

Type

Journal article

Authors

Haebich, A., Kickett, D. and Colbung, M.

Publisher

Aust J Politics Hist

Publication date

2023

Rights notice

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED
Attribution-Non Commercial-NoD erivs 4.0 International

File

Aus J of Politics History - 2023 - Haebich - Exemption and Nyungar Letters in the West Australian Archives.pdf

Link

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajph.12883

Project information

Project ownerNot listed

Please note

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Community / Language group(s)

Project contact(s)

Prof Anna Haebich
A.Haebich@curtin.edu.au

Researcher(s)

Prof Anna Haebich
A/Prof Tiffany Shellam
A/Prof Elfie Shiosaki
Prof Ellen Kraly

Supporting partner(s)

Complete

Yes

Start date

2015

End date2023

Topic(s)

Closing the Gap focus

Funder(s)

Organisation(s)

Not listed

Indigenous involvement

Indigenous involvement notes

Darryl Kickett is a Nyungar man with ancestral links to Wilman, Whajuk and Balladong. He works at Curtin University and lives with wife Anna and their grandchildren.

Tiffany Shellam lectures in History at Deakin University. She works collaboratively with Nyungar people and historians, museum curators, archivists and librarians to critique the archives, unearthing hidden and alternative histories generated by encounters between Indigenous people and European explorers and settlers in the early nineteenth century.

Anna Haebich's career combines university teaching, research, curatorship, creative writing and art practice.

Research into First Nations epistolary was not new but our approach of working directly with Elders and families of the letter writers using innovative, culturally safe Nyungar-based methodologies was innovative and compelling. Our Nyungar-driven methodology was founded on four pillars of Nyungar law and culture: Elders’ authority to maintain family history; kartijin (knowledge); working together through relationships; and values of respect and generosity. Nyungar people were leaders and participants at all stages of the project. The Nyungar Working Group of community Elders and leaders advised on the project concept and provided cultural guidance on ethical practice, protocols, community engagement, and sustainable outcomes throughout the project

Ancestors' words: Noongar writing in WA government archives (1860-1960s)

Output(s)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

AIATSIS acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.