Uncommon ground: white women in Aboriginal history
Uncommon ground: white women in Aboriginal history Edited Book
- Author(s): Cole, Anna, Haskins, Victoria, Paisley, FIona
- Published: 2005
- Publisher: Aboriginal Studies Press
- ISBN: 0855754850
Abstract: Uncommon Ground brings together a unique collection of essays about the complex roles played by white women in Australian Indigenous histories. It showcases some of the latest and most interesting work in Australia on gender and cross-cultural history. Each chapter highlights the work of a woman involved in Aboriginal issues, and with Aboriginal people, in a particular historical context. They include unknown and prominent public figures, activists, writers, and workers in missionary groups and administration (for instance Mary Bennett, Elizabeth Durack and Elizabeth McKenzie-Hatton), as well as leading Aboriginal woman activist (Pearl Gibbs) who worked closely with contemporary white feminists. The four thematic parts include: ‘The Home Front’: personal and domestic relationships, highlighting the prominence of the ‘home’ as institution as well as refuge in such cross-cultural relationships; ‘Shared Struggle’: collaborative relationships; ‘Public Lives’: addressing white women who took on public roles with regard to Aboriginal issues; and ‘Knowing the Aborigines’: the ambiguous roles played by white women who claimed the knowledge to represent Aboriginal people and issues, and who have had various impacts upon Aboriginal histories as a result. These lively and critical biographical studies trace the motivations, actions and impact of these women. The Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributors, both women and men, engage with some difficult yet fascinating questions of race, gender and identity in Aboriginal history. Uncommon ground is a unique exploration of the complex roles played by white women in Australian Indigenous histories. it showcases some of the latest and most interesting work in Australia on gender and cross-cultural history. Within a particular historical context, each chapter highlights the work of a woman involved in Aboriginal issues, and with Aboriginal people. Well-known as well as less prominent public figures, are included. There is a mix of activists, writers, and workers in missionary groups and administration as well as Pearl Gibbs, the leading Aboriginal woman activist who worked closely with contemporary white feminists. Contents 1. 'Light in the darkness' : Elizabeth McKenzie Hatton / John Maynard 2. 'The mother of the home' : Jennie Parsons Smith / Christine Brett Vickers 3. 'A devotion I hope I may fully repay' : Joan Kingsley-Strack / Victoria Haskins 4. 'Same bodies, different skin' : Ruth Heathcock / Karen Hughes 5. 'Never forgotten' : Pearl Gibbs (Gambanyi) / Stephanie Gilbert 6. 'Whatever her race, a woman is not a chattel' : Mary Montgomery Bennett / Alison Holland 7. 'Would have known it by the smell of it' : Ella Hiscocks / Anna Cole 8. 'For a brighter day' : Constance Ternent Cooke / Fiona Paisley 9. 'Bye and bye when all the natives have gone' : Daisy Bates and Billingee / Cynthia Coyne 10. 'A glorious thing is to live in a tent in the infinite' : Daisy Bates / Jim Anderson 11. 'I drew very close to these men, sharing their dilemma...' : Elizabeth Durack / Franchesca Cubillo 12. 'To put on record, as faithfully as possible' : Catherine Martin / Margaret Allen