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My name is Rodney Rivers, I am an Aboriginal man who was born and raised in
Australia’s Kimberley district and I am a member of the Gooniyandi language
group.
From the time I was a young boy growing up on Moola Bulla station near Halls
Creek and later on a Christian mission at Fitzroy Crossing, I have had a growing
interest in the history, language and traditional culture of the Kimberley Aboriginal
People. My interest in Aboriginal culture led to my working as an ethnic and
aboriginal translator for the Summer Institute of Linguists in Darwin.
As a young man, I worked as a stockman on several Kimberley cattle stations,
then began working for the main roads department where I learned to operate
heavy earthmoving equipment. I currently work for Argyle Diamonds as an instructor
teaching Indigenous People how to operate heavy equipment.
In 2002, I approached Kathern and Dick Adkins of Adkins Productions, and asked
if they would be interested in producing a video documentary about the Kimberley
Aboriginal people and the important role they played, and continue to play,
in the development and operation of the Kimberley cattle industry.
When we began researching for the documentary, it quickly became obvious that
the history of the European settlement of the Kimberley and its effect on the
local Indigenous People is a story that very few people are aware of. With the
currant emphasis that is being placed on reconciliation, it seemed vitally important
that people have some understanding of what went on.
In discussions with Admark Education, we decided to produce an educational resource
designed to tell the basic story of the European settlement of the Kimberley
from the prospective of all Australians, in the hope it will inspire students
to further investigate and form their own opinions about this important part
of Australia’s history.
The "Indigenous People of the Kimberley" was produced with the cooperation,
support and assistance of the Kimberley Aboriginal People.
In producing the program, we were struck by the almost complete lack of vindictiveness
towards European Australians among those Aboriginal people with whom we discussed
this project. Almost without exception, the Indigenous People expressed no desires
of revenge for the injustices that had been inflicted on their people, and often
recognised that, in addition to the atrocities, there were also acts of kindness
and benefit as well. They also expressed a deep sense of pride, both men and
women alike, in their abilities as stockmen and stockwomen, and in the vital
role they played in the establishment and continue to play in the operation
of the Kimberley cattle industry. However, they all felt very strongly that
for effective reconciliation to occur, the truth of what happened should, and
must be told.
With this in mind, we were determined to write and produce the program maintaining
that same attitude. The program is intended to tell the basic story of the European
settlement of the Kimberley, without bias or accusation, in the hope it will
stimulate students to further investigate and form their own opinions about
this important part of Australia’s history, and give them a better understanding
of a proud and courageous people and their struggle to control their land and
their lives, and provide a more meaningful sense of what reconciliation is about.
To be truly reconciled as Australians, we must go back to know the past, and
then the truth will set us all free for a brighter future together.
Rodney Rivers
"Gooniyandi Language Group"