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NameWA Journey Ways - Gnuju yorga koorliny (Shell women walking)
Description

Told and provided by Elder Carol Petterson. When a pastoral lease was granted the Aboriginal people associated with the area were regarded as the property of the pastoralist. They were ‘signed up’ to ensure sufficient labour for the busy shearing season. They weren’t paid. During the slack months the workers were sent into the bush to fend for themselves and if they didn’t return, they were considered to be absconders and a warrant could be issued for their arrest (under the Masters and Servants Act, British legislation from 1842). Absconding from an employer was a common charge often resulting in the three months in prison. It is unlikely the men who were arrested had any idea why they had been arrested. It is likely that some pastoralists used the Act to get the Nyoongar men out of the way so they could access the women. 

TypeJourney
Content Warning

This layer contains historical information about Aboriginal people that may be distressing. It contains names of people who have also passed away.

ContributorJacqui Wright
Entries2
Allow ANPS? No
Added to System2023-07-25 13:59:02
Updated in System2023-08-14 15:46:29
Subject indigenous, aboriginal, journey way
CreatorCarol Petterson in 'Journey Ways' project, Dr Francesca Robertson, Dr Noel Nannup, Alison Nannup.
PublisherWA Journey Ways is a collaboration of Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University and WA Main Roads.
Contactbill.pascoe@newcastle.edu.au
Citation
DOI
Source URLhttps://batchelorpress.com/node/386
Linkbackhttps://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
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Latitude From
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LanguageEN
LicenseCopyright. Do not re-use without permission.
Usage Rights

Permissions provided for TLCMap. Do not re-use without permission.

Date Created (externally)2023-07-24

Gnuju yorga koorliny (Shell women walking) 

Placename
Esperance 
Type
Other
3D Viewer Google Maps Trove Search

Details

Latitude
-33.861944
Longitude
121.894444
Start Date
1873
End Date
1900

Description

John Knapp was a proud Meneng warrior, his mother was Jacbam (white fellas called her Mary Nailcan). Jacbam was taken from her traditional area by a white man who took her to Cape Arid. John was born in the Gnuju Tribal area of Esperance. John Knapp enjoyed life as a free independent man who did all things proper and according to time honoured traditions and protocols. He was, and still is, in our family memory, a proud warrior. His wife was Lily. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2167
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 10:28:17
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:50:09

Gnuju yorga koorliny (Shell women walking) 

Placename
Albany  
Type
Other
3D Viewer Google Maps Trove Search

Details

Latitude
-35.023889
Longitude
117.88444
Start Date
1873
End Date
1900

Description

John Knapp, along with a number of other Nyoongar men in a similar position were rounded up and taken to Esperance where they were found guilty and sentenced. There was no prison at Esperance, so they had to be taken to Albany to serve their sentence. At that time there was no road and no rail line from Esperance to Albany, travel was by ship, the men were taken on the cutter ‘Eve’. In Albany a special timber lined cell had been constructed to hold the Aboriginal prisoners because so many of them escaped. This left Lily and the other woman whose men had been shipped to Albany, lonely and in a very vulnerable position. They decided to walk to Albany to see their men, to hold vigil outside the jail. They walked, probably with their children, nearly 1000 round trip kilometres, before the road was constructed. They did it many times. When John was released, he and Lily walked back to Albany. Their love is celebrated by the children that were conceived and born on these epic walks. What brave strong women they were, they would have closely ancient trails, parts of which have become the Albany to Esperance section of the South Coastal Highway. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2168
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 10:28:17
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:50:09
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