Introduction
Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at stories that tell us of a significant event from Australia's past. We read The Night We Made the Flag and we read the first part of Lost!
This week's story, Jandamawra, also depicts a part of Australia's history. As we read this story today keep asking yourself, why is this story significant?
This week's story, Jandamawra, also depicts a part of Australia's history. As we read this story today keep asking yourself, why is this story significant?
Examine the front cover
Look at the front cover.
Use the clues of the character and the setting to make predictions about what you think this story might be about. What do you notice about the man on the horse? Where do you think he comes from? Why What is significant about the title? What things about him do you find unusual for an Aboriginal person in early Australia? Is it usual to see an Aboriginal person riding a horse or carrying a gun? How could this have happened? What could be some implications of this for life in early Australia for both the new settlers and the Indigenous people? |
Read the story
Open up the front cover to examine the end papers.
Talk about where in Australia this story takes place.
What evidence of white settlement is on the map?
What impact could this have had on the Indigenous people that lived in these areas?
Read the story, pausing as often as is necessary to explain or discuss.
At the end of the story, ask the children what is significant about this story for it to be retold and remembered as an important part of Australia's history?
Talk about where in Australia this story takes place.
What evidence of white settlement is on the map?
What impact could this have had on the Indigenous people that lived in these areas?
Read the story, pausing as often as is necessary to explain or discuss.
At the end of the story, ask the children what is significant about this story for it to be retold and remembered as an important part of Australia's history?
Ideas to Consider
Is Jandamarra a hero?What defines a hero? (Bravery? Kindness? Leadership? Standing up for what you believe in?...)
What did Jandamarra do that made him a hero figure? Did Jandamarra deserve to be killed? Would everyone think of Jandamarra as a hero and admire his actions? Why or why not? Did Jandamarra do the right thing when he used his position with the police to free 'his people'? |
Treatment of IndigenousAboriginal men and women were often employed on stations for 'wages of flour and sugar' (p. 6) as Jandamarra was. Their cultural traditions, kinship connections, and even their names were often lost; the boss at Lennard Station called him "pigeon".
How did such treatment affect generations of Aboriginal people? Was it fair? Was it right? Was it right when the white settlers moved in and took over the land that had belonged to the Aboriginal people. They fenced their sacred places and claimed it as their land? How did the Indigenous people react to this? |
Jandamarra's Struggle |
Jandamarra had a problem with identity at various stages in his life.
What were the times in his life that he wanted to live as a white person? Why? What were the times in his life that he wanted to live and be recognised as an Aboriginal person? What were the times when he really struggled to live and be true to who he was? Why? |
Why is this story significant in Australia's history?
Why do you think we need to know about the wars between the Indigenous people in WA and the police and white settlers?
Why do we need to know about the actions of Jandamarra and his story? What does his story tell us about the feelings of the Aboriginal people and their relationship with the land? What lessons as a country can we take from these events? How are Aboriginal people treated today? What steps have we taken to recognise that the Aboriginal people are the first owners of this land? Is there more that can be done? |