Memories of the Brungle Mission | Back Roads | ABC Australia

ABC Australia

6 Aug 202203:19

Summary

TLDRThe transcript recounts the challenging history of the Brungle Mission, established in 1888 to segregate Aboriginal people from nearby towns. It highlights the harsh conditions, including ration cuts for misbehavior and the threat of family separation due to racial bias. The speaker reflects on the cultural suppression, such as the prohibition of their language, and their personal journey to relearn it later in life. The narrative also touches on the resilience and generosity of the Aboriginal community, as they share their culture with younger generations despite past injustices.

Takeaways

🏚️ The former Brungle Mission was established in 1888 to house Aboriginal people, who were otherwise unwanted in nearby towns.
🚫 The mission was intentionally isolated to keep the Aboriginal community away from the rest of society due to racial prejudice.
🗝️ Punishments for misbehavior included ration cuts and confinement, which could last for up to two weeks without food and work opportunities.
👪 The mission's managers attempted to separate families, as seen in Auntie Phyllis's case, due to her lighter skin being mistaken for European heritage.
🏫 Children at the mission were forbidden from speaking their native language, leading to a loss of cultural identity and language skills.
👵 Auntie Phyllis's story highlights the personal struggles to preserve and reclaim cultural heritage, even attempting to learn her language at the age of 75.
😢 The emotional impact of cultural loss is evident, with the speaker expressing sadness over not being able to speak their language fluently.
🌐 The importance of language and cultural practices is underscored by the joy and pride felt when hearing children speak in their native language or perform traditional dances.
👮‍♂️ The script mentions the role of welfare authorities in enforcing the mission's rules and the potential threat of child removal from families.
📚 The speaker's return to education later in life to learn their language illustrates the ongoing efforts to reconnect with and preserve cultural heritage.
💃 The presence of Uncle Pat and the mention of traditional dances at the Tumut Community Preschool show a commitment to passing down cultural knowledge to future generations.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the Brungle Mission?
-The Brungle Mission was established in 1888 to house Aboriginal people, segregating them from the nearby towns of Candelo and Turmeric, where the townsfolk did not want to see black faces.
How were the living conditions at the Brungle Mission?
-The living conditions were poor, with tin huts and dirt floors. The Aboriginal people were cut off from the rest of society and faced harsh treatment if they did not behave according to the managers' expectations.
What was the consequence for those who did not behave at the mission?
-If the Aboriginal people did not behave, the managers would cut off their rations, forcing them to go without food for a fortnight and confining them to the mission area, preventing them from seeking work.
Why was Auntie Phyllis forced to move out of the mission?
-Auntie Phyllis was forced to move out because the managers thought she was European due to her lighter skin color. They threatened to remove her children to keep the family together, which was a common practice to enforce racial segregation.
What impact did the mission have on the Aboriginal people's language and culture?
-The mission had a detrimental impact on the Aboriginal people's language and culture. They were not allowed to speak their language, which led to a loss of cultural identity and a struggle to relearn their language later in life.
Why did the narrator go back to TAFE at the age of 75?
-The narrator went back to TAFE at the age of 75 to try to learn their language, which was suppressed during their time at the mission and had a profound emotional impact on them.
What emotions does the narrator express when hearing their language being spoken by others?
-The narrator feels a deep sadness and a strong connection to their culture when hearing their language spoken by others, especially by younger generations.
What is the significance of the narrator's experience with the 'dig too'?
-The 'dig too' is a cultural practice that deeply resonates with the narrator, symbolizing their love for their culture and the emotional impact of cultural loss and recovery.
What is the connection between the Brungle Mission's history and the current cultural activities?
-Despite the terrible history of the Brungle Mission, the current cultural activities, such as teaching and learning traditional dances and language, represent a form of resilience and a way to reconnect with and preserve Aboriginal culture.
How does the narrator describe the spirit of the Aboriginal people in the face of adversity?
-The narrator is moved by the generosity of spirit displayed by the Aboriginal people, who continue to embrace and share their culture despite the historical injustices they have faced.
What is the role of the 'aunties' in preserving and sharing Aboriginal culture?
-The 'aunties' play a crucial role in preserving and sharing Aboriginal culture by teaching younger generations about their traditions, language, and history, which is essential for cultural continuity and identity.

Outlines

00:00

🏘️ Brungle Mission's Harsh History

This paragraph delves into the history of the Brungle Mission, established in 1888 to house Aboriginal people who were forcibly segregated from nearby towns due to racial discrimination. The mission was a place of hardship, where residents faced ration cuts and confinement as punishment for misbehavior. The narrative highlights the story of Auntie Phyllis, who was mistaken for being European due to her lighter skin color and faced the threat of her children being taken away. This led to her displacement from her home. The paragraph also touches on the suppression of the Aboriginal language and culture, with the speaker expressing a deep desire to reconnect with their language and culture, even at the age of 75, by attending TAFE to learn their language. The speaker's emotional connection to their culture is evident in their reaction to hearing the language and traditional dances.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Brangle Mission

Brangle Mission refers to a historical location that was established in 1888 to house Aboriginal people. It represents a significant part of the video's theme as it symbolizes the forced relocation and containment of indigenous communities away from towns due to racial discrimination. The script mentions the mission's harsh conditions and its impact on the lives of those who lived there.

💡Aboriginal People

Aboriginal people are the indigenous population of Australia. The video's theme revolves around their experiences, particularly in the context of the Brangle Mission, where they faced racial segregation and harsh living conditions. The script provides a first-hand account of life at the mission and the struggles of the Aboriginal people.

💡Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination is the unjust treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. In the script, it is highlighted as the reason why Aboriginal people were forced to live in the Brangle Mission, away from towns that did not want 'black faces.' This concept is central to understanding the historical injustices faced by the Aboriginal community.

💡Rations

Rations refer to the portion of food or supplies that were distributed to individuals, particularly in situations of scarcity or control. In the context of the video, the managers of the mission would cut off rations as a form of punishment, which exemplifies the oppressive measures used to control the Aboriginal people's lives.

💡Confinement

Confinement in this script refers to the restriction of movement and freedom imposed on the Aboriginal people living at the mission. It is a key concept that illustrates the control exerted over their lives, preventing them from seeking work or leaving the area, which was a form of punishment and control.

💡Cultural Assimilation

Cultural assimilation is the process by which a minority group adopts the customs and practices of a dominant culture, often at the expense of their own. The script describes how the Aboriginal people were forbidden from speaking their language at school, which is an example of cultural assimilation policies that aimed to erase their cultural identity.

💡Language Suppression

Language suppression is the deliberate act of preventing a group from using or teaching their native language. In the video, the script mentions the prohibition of speaking the Aboriginal language at school, which is a form of cultural oppression and a means to assimilate the Aboriginal people into the dominant culture.

💡TAFE

TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education, which is an educational institution in Australia that offers vocational training. The script mentions an individual returning to TAFE at the age of 75 to learn their language, highlighting the importance of cultural reconnection and the ongoing impact of language suppression.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging and self-understanding that comes from one's cultural background. The script emphasizes the deep emotional connection the speaker has with their culture and the sadness they feel at not being able to speak their language, which is a core aspect of their cultural identity.

💡Welfare

Welfare in this context refers to the social services and support provided by the government. The script describes a situation where welfare authorities threatened to remove children from their families, which was a coercive measure used to enforce cultural assimilation and control over Aboriginal families.

💡Generosity of Spirit

Generosity of spirit is a phrase that captures the essence of kindness, empathy, and resilience despite adversity. The script concludes by highlighting the generosity of spirit of the Aboriginal people, who, despite the terrible history of the Brangle Mission, continue to share their culture and maintain a positive outlook.

Highlights

The former Brungle Mission was established in 1888 to house Aboriginal people, away from the towns of Candelo and Tumut.

The townspeople did not want to see black faces in their town, leading to the isolation of the Aboriginal community.

Residents of the mission faced harsh conditions, including the possibility of having rations cut off as punishment.

Auntie Phyllis was mistaken for being European due to her lighter skin, which threatened her family's unity.

Welfare officers threatened to remove Auntie Phyllis's children to keep the family intact, forcing her to leave the mission.

The mission's management restricted residents' freedom, including confining them to the area and preventing them from seeking work.

Aboriginal children were forbidden from speaking their language at school, leading to a loss of cultural heritage.

The speaker at 75 years old returned to education to learn their language, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation.

The speaker expresses sadness over not being able to speak their language fluently, especially when hearing others speak theirs.

Cultural pride is evident when the speaker is moved by the use of traditional language in contemporary settings.

The speaker's love for their culture and the desire to share it is a central theme of the transcript.

The transcript describes a dance performance as a way of connecting with and preserving Aboriginal culture.

Uncle Pat's presence at the Tumut Community Preschool signifies the importance of cultural education from a young age.

The generosity of spirit despite the Brungle Mission's dark history is a testament to the resilience of the Aboriginal community.

The transcript emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from the past to foster a better future.

The speaker's reflections on their experiences at the mission provide insight into the long-lasting effects of historical injustices.