Doreen Kartinyeri

'Lies, Lies, Lies' shouted the newspaper headlines following the Royal Commission decision into building the Hindmarsh Island Bridge. Doreen Kartinyeri, key Ngarrindjeri spokeswoman, was devastated. How could whitefella law fail to protect Aboriginal women's sites? Against a backdrop of abuse, threats and ill-health, Doreen fought back. In 2001 the HREOC Inquiry vindicated the women.

Aged 10 years, Doreen suffered the loss of her mother, her sister's removal and her own placement in Fullarton Girls Home, 100 kms from home. Doreen later learnt about her culture from her Aunty Rosie and other women with whom she spent time. She had nine children of her own and fostered 23 others.

Although poorly schooled in formal terms, Doreen was a tenacious researcher. Her sharp memory allowed her to piece together histories and genealogies and she helped reunite members of the Stolen Generations.

Doreen was a female warrior, dedicated to upholding and protecting Ngarrindjeri law. In this autobiography Doreen Kartinyeri reveals a deep-set desire for social justice, fuelled by passionate love and anger. Her wit and humour abound, while her integrity and sense of justice are inspirational

Production Details

• Paperback
• 230mm x 155mm x 20mm
• 256pp
• Released April 2008
• ISBN 9780855756598

Contents

Acknowledgments
Illustrations
Note on Language
Family tree
Map
Chapter 1: Raukkan
Chapter 2: A Family Torn Apart
Chapter 3: Suffer the Little Children
Chapter 4: Unexpected Kindness
Chapter 5: A Hollywood Life
Chapter 6: From Madwoman to Historian
Chapter 7: Putting Black History on White Paper
Chapter 8: The Royal Witch-Hunt
Chapter 9: Epilogue
Afterword
Notes
Index

About The Cover

Cover image: The people by Sandra Saunders, oil on canvas 2000. Courtesy, private collection. A mi: mini is gathering rushes for weaving. Her coat is woven from the rushes. The kornies are netting fish in the Lake Alexandrina.