Tiwi Story utilises primary sources by including oral histories left in the vernacular, interspersed with chapters written by the two authors. In this manner, the community of the Tiwi Islands and their intriguing story shines on the page.

The Tiwi Islands – made up of Bathurst and Melville Islands – lie off the north coast of the Northern Territory. The Tiwi people have always been a fiercely independent community, where trespassers were not welcome. Visitors, on the other hand, have a long history with the islands. Trade with Macassans began in the 1600s. The British came in 1824. One visitor who stayed was the Catholic missionary, Father (later Bishop) Francis Xavier Gsell. He established a mission at Wurrumiyanga, on the southeast coast of Bathurst Island, in 1911.

The whitefella-knows-best philosophy did, however, decimate families. The islands are a border zone – a buffer between the Australian mainland and Asia. Allegiances were tested during World War II: Tiwi Islanders had had long-term beneficial relationships with Japan.

Despite the intervention of the church and governments, the Tiwi Islanders have always spoken up for themselves. Having their histories recorded in their own voices is entirely appropriate.

Reviewed by Bob Moore

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Mavis Kerinaiua is a Tiwi historian, educator and researcher. She has contributed to historical exhibits at the Northern Territory Library and the Patakijiyali Museum and worked as a researcher for the Australian National University and Flinders University. She has worked in cultural liaison for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and in education on Bathurst Island. Creator of the Turtuni Framework for research practice, Kerinaiua is an expert in culturally responsive and appropriate research.

Laura Rademaker is a historian of Aboriginal Australia and religion with a PhD from the Australian National University and an interest in oral history. She is the author of Found in Translation (University of Hawai‘i), shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Australian History Prize and awarded the Australian Historical Association’s Hancock Prize. She is also co-author with Traditional Owners of Bible in Buffalo Country, winner of the NT Chief Minister’s Award for History. She has written for ABC Religion and Ethics and The Conversation and appeared on ABC Radio National.