Walking Together at Myall Creek: Dreaming Beyond 'a Cult of Forgetfulness'
Against the 'silence' or 'forgetfulness' of the many massacres of Aboriginal people, the Myall Creek Massacre holds a special place due to its detailed presence in the public record. Rather than simply reasserting the truth of the many massacres, this article then records an attempt to move beyond such denials/assertion. Recording testimony to the spirit of the land, the site of Myall Creek becomes significant for both memorial and for memory.
Reconciliation in Australia? Dreaming Beyond the Cult of Forgetfulness
This chapter explores the history of reconciliation in Australia, the policy framework, obstacles and achievements. It draws on the experience of Julie Collins of Reconciliation in Action at Myall Creek and in the work of the community arts organisation, Beyond Empathy and also shares the experiences of Warlpa Kutjika Thompson, a Wiimpatja, from the western district of NSW. I (Julie) have been collaborating with Warlpa Kutjika Thompson on this chapter on Australian reconciliation and other projects, in an attempt to share power and perspective. Our collaboration has led to many interesting discussions that have deepened my understanding of the complexity of what needs to happen for reconciliation to occur.