Chapter 4: From the Deserts They Come Summary and Analysis

By the 1900s, Western Australia was prospering. Mining and agricultural industries were growing. To meet export demands, the white settlements were encroaching further upon the land of the tribal natives. Laws were passed to favor the settlers against the Mardudjara tribes. The settlers co-habitated well with the tribesman, evening teaching them to be stockmen and domestic helpers. They easily earned reputations as excellent horsemen and cattlemen and were loyal and efficient domestic helpers. As generally harmonious as relations were, the fact remained that the settlers were taking the traditional land of the Aborigines. Conflicts arose and there were incidents of violence—including murder and rape. One notorious incident involved Mardu tribesmen attacking settlers who had violated their sacred land. Several white men were killed and, in retribution, a group of...