Australian history

This book is useful for an overview of Australian history and the way it has impacted on First Nations peoples. Richard Broome is a non-Indigenous historian who has written extensively on the experiences of First Nations people. In this book, he works chronologically from 1788 to 2018.

This series is useful for learning about the experiences of First Nations people through Australian history. This series was written and produced by Rachel Perkins, and Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman. The 7 episodes work through Australian history chronologically, from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 through to Native title, covering experiences across Australia. It brings together amazing images, photos, film and audio, as well as First Nations knowledge holders.

This book is useful for the detail it provides relating to how government policies and practices impacted on the lives of First Nations people in Queensland. Dr Rosalind Kidd is a non-Indigenous historian. In this book, she uses the archives of the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs to show the control the government had over First Nations people, and the links this had to accessing land and resources, controlling labour and maintaining racial purity.

This book provides a detailed history of NSW and the policies that have impacted on First Nations people. Richard Egan is a non-Indigenous historian. This book is specific to NSW but is extensively detailed. It shows the link between government policy and the implementation of that policy. It is good to keep this in mind when thinking about today’s policies relating to First Nations people.

This book is useful for understanding the way history is a contested space. Henry Reynolds is a non-Indigenous historian who has written many books that have revealed the hidden history of First Nations-settler-coloniser relationships. Have a look at his other books! This book looks at the British possession of Australia and how we are still trying to resolve the relationships between first peoples and newcomers due to the way this continent was invaded.

This book is useful for learning about the personal impacts of being a stolen child and racism. Uncle Jack Charles, Boon Wurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, is an actor who is open about his past, the abuse he suffered as a child, the trauma of losing and finding his family, the loss of culture and how this has affected him. A remarkable story.

This podcast is useful for learning about the arrival of the First Fleet and the interactions between peoples that occurred. This podcast has been created by a non-Indigenous journalist – Keri Phillips – and features Indigenous and non-Indigenous historians.

This series of podcasts is useful for learning about Australian history that has impacted on First Nations people from 1901 to 2017. These podcasts are produced by a non-Indigenous presenter – Annabelle Quince – and feature the voices of many First Nations researchers, activists and identities. Together, the 4 podcasts explain the policies that were applied to First Nations people and the fight for recognition that took many forms since 1901.

This website is useful for learning about the personal impacts of being removed from your family as a First Nations child. This website contains many personal stories of members of the Stolen Generations who share their experiences. The experience of being removed impacts on people for their entire lives, and also impacts on their descendants. This is not a past event, but a continuing trauma.