The Shield and the Spear: The Kimberley Land Council

The past informs the present and guides the future.

With histories, societies and languages extending back thousands of years, Kimberley Aboriginal people’s living Culture was severely challenged with the arrival of Europeans.

Through violence and force, as well as a misguided sense of Western morality, kartiyas (white people) took possession of already occupied lands from the Original custodians – killing and forcing many into slavery as they built their wealth on stolen Country. For over a century First Nations’ peoples were not recognised as Australian citizens and were refugees in their own Country.

Early resistance through physical confrontation grew into a social, moral and political movement that led Kimberley Aboriginal people to build their  own ‘shield and spear’ – the Kimberley Land Council – asserting their desire to return to Country, to look after Country and to shape, control and give voice to their own cultural destinies.

Foresight, perseverance, hard work and an intrinsic belief in Culture and the many relationships to Country have underpinned the successes of the Kimberley Land Council.

Joe Fox was commissioned by the KLC to prepare this book.

The ‘voice of the Kimberley mob’ is strong and proud: the shield and the spear.