<
https://theconversation.com/can-more-ethical-histories-be-written-about-early-colonial-expeditions-a-new-project-seeks-to-do-just-that-221974>
"Truth-telling is at the heart of a new research project we are currently
leading that re-examines the legacy of the Hann Expedition, which travelled
Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula in 1872.
Our project seeks to rewrite this period of history – and others – to honour
the voices and experiences of Aboriginal people whose contributions to
colonial-era expeditions have long been overlooked.
The Hann Expedition began in Mt Surprise, Queensland, in April 1872, and made a
loop across the peninsula before finishing at the Junction Creek Telegraph
Station seven months later. The team consisted of six white men and an
Aboriginal guide. The purpose was to map and record “unknown” parts of
Queensland and determine whether the lands would be feasible for mining and
pastoral development.
Apart from geological descriptions and mapping, the expedition is credited with
recording and collecting specimens of at least 149 plants previously unknown to
Western science. However, using records from the expedition, we found these
species were likely only located with the help of the young Girramay man,
Jerry, who was their guide.
Jerry was derogatorily referred to as “the blackboy”, and his important role in
the expedition has never been fully acknowledged.
The importance of Aboriginal knowledge to the expedition compelled us to
further examine the encounters the men had with other Aboriginal people along
the route. This likely included Olkala, Kuku Yalanji, Lama Lama and Guugu
Yimithirr people.
In one of these encounters, botanist Thomas Tate and Jerry found a young
Aboriginal boy near a lagoon and took him back to their camp. The boy’s family
immediately retrieved him and returned the next day, threatening the team with
weapons.
In other encounters, the team unsuccessfully tried to communicate with
Aboriginal people, seeking information that would be useful to their
expedition.
Our research team also found a detailed map created by Norman Taylor, the
expedition’s geologist, which includes observations about encounters with
Aboriginal people, as well as environmental details not recorded elsewhere.
The original map had been held in the Queensland State Archives since at least
the 1980s, but had not been connected to other materials from the expedition.
Although a detailed analysis of the map has only just begun, it suggests local
Aboriginal people helped the expedition navigate difficult terrain along their
route, particularly along the coast."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
