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Why Warriors lie down and die Book Reviews News Weekly Articles Why Warriors Lay Down and Die The author of this book, Richard Trudgen commenced work in Arnhem Land among the Yolngu people in 1973. He continued there until 1982 when he contracted golden staph which resulted in his departure in 1983. In his own words, "In those eleven years, I lived with a unique group of people. They taught me more than I was ever able to teach or share with them. They became friends and adopted relatives. I owed them much and it hurt me deeply to leave. But there were no options - I had to rebuild my health". Trudgen returned to Arnhem Land in 1991 at the request of the Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, political leader of the Golumala clan. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Aboriginal and Development Services Inc. and a Member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. He asked him to return because he believed Trudgen was one person, sufficently acquainted with Aboriginal customs and language, to assist those white Australians working with the Yolngu, particularly in the Health and Medical services. It was as result of their working together, and the success of the methods suggested by Trudgen, that led to Dr Gondarra asking him to write this book. The book gives an historical background to the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land, from their trading with Macassan traders through their difficulties with white men (Balanda) in the early days of white settlement. It was white settlement and the actions of many of the station owners which resulted in many of the problems which brought about the downfall of the customary living of the tribal people. It is interesting to note that much of what Trudgen writes parallels the opinions of Professor T.G.H. Strehlow. Strehlow's understanding of the problems faced by young aborigines in Central Australia led to many of them leaving their tribal homes to escape the harsher provisions of tribal law which "proved virtually irresistible". Trudgen goes into great detail describing the difficulties the Yolngu people have in understanding the medical and health workers who support them. This applies in reverse, as the doctors and nurses have difficulty in understanding the aboriginal attitude to health issues. It is in this area that the real work of this book becomes important. When we read of the terrible toll disease has wrought on the Yolngu people, it is to be hoped that the authorities will make every effort to have this book's findings and solutions accepted. I understand that there are people in the health and medical fields in some of our universities who are asking students to read this book. It would be a wonderful thing if the book became available in many of our schools. It would be a great pity if governments, both State and Federal, chose to ignore the work done by Richard Trudgen, as they have done over the years with the work of Strehlow et al. leading to the mistakes of the past being carried forward to the future. |
$29.95 AUD |
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