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Short Blacks
Tradition, Truth and Tomorrow
I will continue my work on my land, building a future. It is the only thing that is certain to me now and I want to advance while I can. I am trying to light the fire in our young men and women. We are setting fires to our own lives as we really should, and the flame will burn and intensify – an immense smoke, cloud-like and black, will arise, which will send off a signal and remind people that we, the Gumatj people, are the people of the fire. There are people of the fire around Alice Springs – and I reach out to them, too. We can then burn united, together.
Tradition, Truth & Tomorrow is 'no mere essay. It is an existential prayer,' writes Noel Pearson. Galarrwuy Yunupingu tells of his clan and his early life. He recounts his dealings with prime ministers, and how he learnt that nothing is ever what it seems. And behind him, he writes, ‘the Yolngu world is always under threat, being swallowed up by whitefellas. This is a weight that is bearing down on me; at night it is like a splinter in my mind.’
Short Blacks are gems of recent Australian writing – brisk reads that quicken the pulse and stimulate the mind.
Galarrwuy Yunupingu is a member of the Gumatj clan from Yirrkala, in east Arnhem Land. He played a key role in the battle for indigenous land rights and has been a strong advocate for Aboriginal Australians. He was Australian of the Year in 1978, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 for services to the Aboriginal community.
Tradition, Truth & Tomorrow is 'no mere essay. It is an existential prayer,' writes Noel Pearson. Galarrwuy Yunupingu tells of his clan and his early life. He recounts his dealings with prime ministers, and how he learnt that nothing is ever what it seems. And behind him, he writes, ‘the Yolngu world is always under threat, being swallowed up by whitefellas. This is a weight that is bearing down on me; at night it is like a splinter in my mind.’
Short Blacks are gems of recent Australian writing – brisk reads that quicken the pulse and stimulate the mind.
Galarrwuy Yunupingu is a member of the Gumatj clan from Yirrkala, in east Arnhem Land. He played a key role in the battle for indigenous land rights and has been a strong advocate for Aboriginal Australians. He was Australian of the Year in 1978, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 for services to the Aboriginal community.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 8, 2016
A short essay in the guise of a novella, and one of the Black inc. Short Black series of beautiful Australian writing.
Have you ever wanted to just cut the crap and hear the story of the black fella, as he tells it. Cut the red tape and the media bullshit and just listen to an elder and his wisdom, his dream, his frustration?
Galarrwuy Yunupingu is now leader of his clan up in north-east Arnhem Land. He is learned, he has worked in Canberra, he has seen the years pass. I am so glad he wrote this, and so glad to have read a very accessible and frank statement of his life.
This is 20 minutes of your life worth spending.
Have you ever wanted to just cut the crap and hear the story of the black fella, as he tells it. Cut the red tape and the media bullshit and just listen to an elder and his wisdom, his dream, his frustration?
Galarrwuy Yunupingu is now leader of his clan up in north-east Arnhem Land. He is learned, he has worked in Canberra, he has seen the years pass. I am so glad he wrote this, and so glad to have read a very accessible and frank statement of his life.
This is 20 minutes of your life worth spending.
January 17, 2019
Very short read containing musings on land rights, meetings with politicians, home, and family.
October 22, 2017
Stymied dreams of reconciliation and recognition are captured in this tiny novella, with reserved hope at its conclusion.
June 19, 2020
A short but impactful read.
September 28, 2021
I’m actually appalled how long I put this down for. It was depressing and infuriating and heartbreaking. Incredible read.
February 3, 2021
Narrative of struggle for land rights in Gove
This book is on my reading list for Theories of Law together with a few interesting books about an Australian Indigenous perspective on Australian politics. It’s a narrative from the perspective of one who grew up among his fellow clans, country, laws and customs, became a leader of his people after his father died, and has continued to fight for constitutional recognition for his people. Short read but an inspiration.
This book is on my reading list for Theories of Law together with a few interesting books about an Australian Indigenous perspective on Australian politics. It’s a narrative from the perspective of one who grew up among his fellow clans, country, laws and customs, became a leader of his people after his father died, and has continued to fight for constitutional recognition for his people. Short read but an inspiration.
September 13, 2023
A very intimate essay that I feel grateful to have read. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews