Wadjularbinna's Family
Why is Wadjularbinna a half-caste?
Because her mother was raped by white settlers.
Why were Wadjularbinna and her sisters mouth washed with soap every day?
Because they couldn't speak English and spoke their original language.
What is her religion?
She's Christian.
The stolen children got counsellors, but what color were they?
The counsellors were white people.
What does Wadjularbinna believe white people should respect today?
She believes they should respect Aboriginal Law, Land, and Culture.
How is Wadjularbinna's mother described?
She's described as a very strong person and she taught Wadjularbinna to stand up for herself as long as she was respectful.
What did Wadjularbinna learn in the mission?
She learned how to cook, write, sew etc.
For how long was Wadjularbinna married to the station manager?
18 years.
How did the missionaries treat the Aboriginal children.
They treated them so badly, and tied people to tree and flogged them.
What does she think the government needs to do to try to make up for what had happened?
She thinks they should give compensation to those people who want compensation.
Why did her mother dislike the idea of Wadjularbinna running away from her husband?
Because it was against Aboriginal laws.
How would Wadjularbinna spend her nights?
She cried every night for her parents wondering why she was taken away.
Which kind of family were Wadjularbinna married into?
She was married into a white family of snobbery and class distinctions.
Why has Wadjularbinna forgiven the missionary?
Because if she didn't it would destroy her.
What does Wadjularbinna think is necessary to finding a middle road for the Aboriginal and white Australians?
She thinks that there's got to be education about their differences ex. about the land.
Why does Wadjularbinna still have problems with her children to this day?
Because she left them when they were young to get away from her husband etc.
What did her grandmother tell her stories about when she was a child?
That the adults were shot and the children fell out of the coolish trees and bashed against rocks and trees.
Why does Wadjularbinna accept what had happened?
Because she's Christian and believes in second chances.
How does Wadjularbinna see the white society?
As a society where you measure worth by position, money, ownership of land ect.
How does Wadjularbinna think the Aboriginal and white Australians can move together and live in harmony?
By giving the Aborignals the opportunity to tell their story about their connection to land, creation, what their spirituality is etc.