Description
Discover the powerful narrative of Jessie Lennon, an extraordinary Matutjara woman born in the 1920s on a sheep station near Kingoonya. This brand new book, published by Aboriginal Studies Press in 2011, captures Jessie’s life's story, weaving historical events with personal triumphs and struggles. Follow Jessie as she travels on foot, on camels, and through the ever-changing landscapes of Australia, sharing her valuable insight on the Anangu people’s profound connection to land and community.
Jessie's tale is not just a personal account; it provides a unique perspective on significant historical transitions, including the impacts of colonialism, the pastoral and mining industries’ growth, and how they shaped Indigenous lives. The juxtaposition of her stories with historical photographs deepens readers' understanding of the Australian history from an Aboriginal standpoint.
In “I'm the One That Knows This Country!,” readers will uncover Jessie's poignant experiences as she navigates a world that often overlooked her people. Her encounters with the British nuclear tests at Emu reveal the community's resilience, as she fought for justice and compensation alongside fellow Elders.
This compelling book not only preserves Aboriginal English and language but also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in cultural identity. Join Jessie Lennon on her journey of survival, adaptation, and the pursuit of home amidst change.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled..
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780855757199
Year: 2011
Publisher: Aboriginal Studies Press
Description:
Matutjara woman, Jessie Lennon, was born on a sheep station near Kingoonya in the 1920s. Aged six, she accompanied her father on a ceremonial journey with the Old People, as far west as Ooldea, in the time of Daisy Bates, and north to Coober Pedy, then a fledgling opal-mining settlement. Her early life was spent travelling with family: on foot, on camels and sometimes 'jumping the train'. Later they sought whitefella work in towns on sheep and cattle stations. Many times Jessie's travel brought her back to Coober Pedy where she lived in camps, underground dugouts and on the mine dumps. In the 1950s, Jessie and her family were 'caught by the bomb': fallout from the British nuclear tests at Emu, north of Maralinga. They were not evacuated, nor advised to take any precautions, and although they fled east, they could not escape the long-term effects on their health. Decades later, Jessie and Senior Elders in the community took up an unsuccessful fight for compensation. Jessie Lennon is a natural storyteller and here she speaks in Aboriginal English and language. As readers we gain an Anangu perspective of extraordinary adaption, as the Anangu make first contact with Europeans.But her story also reveals another viewpoint, that of settler history: the growth of the pastoral and mining industries, as well as the construction of railway lines and highways. In this book Jessie's stories are juxtaposed with historical photographs and information of the times, places and people in her life. In a life full of journeys and homecomings, a vivid picture emerges of family life and the importance of 'home'.
Jessie's tale is not just a personal account; it provides a unique perspective on significant historical transitions, including the impacts of colonialism, the pastoral and mining industries’ growth, and how they shaped Indigenous lives. The juxtaposition of her stories with historical photographs deepens readers' understanding of the Australian history from an Aboriginal standpoint.
In “I'm the One That Knows This Country!,” readers will uncover Jessie's poignant experiences as she navigates a world that often overlooked her people. Her encounters with the British nuclear tests at Emu reveal the community's resilience, as she fought for justice and compensation alongside fellow Elders.
This compelling book not only preserves Aboriginal English and language but also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in cultural identity. Join Jessie Lennon on her journey of survival, adaptation, and the pursuit of home amidst change.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled..
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780855757199
Year: 2011
Publisher: Aboriginal Studies Press
Description:
Matutjara woman, Jessie Lennon, was born on a sheep station near Kingoonya in the 1920s. Aged six, she accompanied her father on a ceremonial journey with the Old People, as far west as Ooldea, in the time of Daisy Bates, and north to Coober Pedy, then a fledgling opal-mining settlement. Her early life was spent travelling with family: on foot, on camels and sometimes 'jumping the train'. Later they sought whitefella work in towns on sheep and cattle stations. Many times Jessie's travel brought her back to Coober Pedy where she lived in camps, underground dugouts and on the mine dumps. In the 1950s, Jessie and her family were 'caught by the bomb': fallout from the British nuclear tests at Emu, north of Maralinga. They were not evacuated, nor advised to take any precautions, and although they fled east, they could not escape the long-term effects on their health. Decades later, Jessie and Senior Elders in the community took up an unsuccessful fight for compensation. Jessie Lennon is a natural storyteller and here she speaks in Aboriginal English and language. As readers we gain an Anangu perspective of extraordinary adaption, as the Anangu make first contact with Europeans.But her story also reveals another viewpoint, that of settler history: the growth of the pastoral and mining industries, as well as the construction of railway lines and highways. In this book Jessie's stories are juxtaposed with historical photographs and information of the times, places and people in her life. In a life full of journeys and homecomings, a vivid picture emerges of family life and the importance of 'home'.