Paroo: Oral History of Lorna McNiven
<a href='http://indigenous.sl.nsw.gov.au/communities/badjiri' target='_blank'> Badjiri / Budjari / Badyidi people
</a>
<a href='http://indigenous.sl.nsw.gov.au/communities/muruwari' target='_blank'>Muruwari / Murrawarri people
</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/6272' target='_blank'>Floods</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/8797' target='_blank'>Silt</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/4676' target='_blank'>Cultural heritage</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/15435' target='_blank'>Connection to Country</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048782' target='_blank'>Fishes--Migration</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3693' target='_blank'>Water pollution</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85145985' target='_blank'>Weirs</a>
<a href='http://dharmae.research.uts.edu.au/items/show/401' target='_blank'>Aboriginal fish traps</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/16447' target='_blank'>Indigenous knowledge</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3654' target='_blank'>Storytelling</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/260' target='_blank'>Aboriginal spirituality</a>
Lorna McNiven is an Indigenous woman who was born in Eulo in south-western Queensland. Her family, known as river people, are the Budjari and Murrawarri peoples. Lorna discusses her life along the Paroo River and the great source of life, leisure and belonging it brings - that cements her spiritual and cultural connection with the land. She states that the Paroo was a central to her and people's lives.
Lorna recollects the condition of the Paroo from her childhood, and again upon her return after her absence of a few decades. She discusses the changes in the surrounding environment, the aquatic life and her yearning and love for Country.
Mentioned: Yapunyah trees, swans, swan eggs, ducks, 'bream', crayfish: 'boogalie', cattle/livestock
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-10-17
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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English
Namoi: Oral History of Joe and Pearl Trindall
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85049168' target='_blank'>Floods</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85145985' target='_blank'>Weirs</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3313' target='_blank'>Dams</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/4510' target='_blank'>Cotton</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/10464' target='_blank'>Camping</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/260' target='_blank'>Aboriginal spirituality</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3693' target='_blank'>Water pollution</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96006425' target='_blank'>Introduced fishes</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85128407' target='_blank'>Storytelling</a>
An interview in six parts.
Pearl and Joe Trindall are an Indigenous couple who have lived in the Namoi region for most their lives. Pearl was born in Boomi, while Joe was born in Narrabri and they both, along with their children, have spent a lot of time travelling around Australia droving.
Pearl and Joe talk at length about a number of topics including growing up on the river and how it was central to their lives - it was a source of food, meeting and socialising, as well as a means for passing on Indigenous knowledges by the Elders. The Elders told the younger generation that they were to practice sustainable fishing and were only to take what they needed. The Elders also taught language and spirituality, told stories and were respected members of their community.
Pearl and Joe also speak about the changes in the region they have witnessed. They both say that the pollution from cotton farming has had the greatest impact on the deteriorating health of the river, compared to when they were younger when the water was clean enough to drink. They also mention the impacts that the installation of weirs and dams have had.
Mentioned: carp impacts, and 1956 floods.
Animals mentioned: Worms, gudgeon, goanna (neebie), black snake.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-09-06
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
application/msword
audio/mpeg
image/jpeg
English