Diane Barwick facts for kids
Diane Elizabeth McEachern Barwick (born 1938, died 1986) was an important person from Canada. She was an anthropologist, a historian, and an activist for Aboriginal rights. She was also a well-known researcher and teacher. Her work focused on the culture and society of Aboriginal people in Australia.
About Diane Barwick
Diane Barwick was born on April 29, 1938, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her father, Ronald Bernard McEachern, worked in forests. Her mother was Beatrice Rosemond.
Diane went to the University of British Columbia. She graduated with high honors in 1959. Her main project was about the special way of life in logging camps. After graduating, she worked at a museum in Victoria, British Columbia.
In 1960, Diane moved to Australia. She studied for her PhD at the Australian National University (ANU). She finished her degree in 1964. On April 14, 1961, she married Richard Essex Barwick. He was also a student there.
In 1964, Diane helped start the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS). From 1966 to 1972, she was a research fellow at ANU. In 1978, she became the first woman elected to the AIAS council. She helped with the institute's publications until 1982. From 1982 to 1986, she was a councilor for their history committee. She also led the publications committee from 1983 to 1986.
In 1973, Diane had her first child, Laura Eden Barwick.
She also taught at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. From 1974 to 1978, Diane worked as a tutor and lecturer at ANU.
In 1977, Diane helped create and edit Aboriginal History. This was a journal for the Australian Centre for Indigenous History at ANU. She worked there until 1982.
In 1980, she joined the Aboriginal Treaty Committee. This group worked to get official recognition and protection for Aboriginal rights.
In May 1985, the AIAS asked her to create a national list of Aboriginal biographies. This was a big project.
Diane Barwick died on April 4, 1986. She passed away from a brain hemorrhage at Royal Canberra Hospital. She was buried in Gungahlin cemetery.
Diane Barwick's Research
Diane Barwick's research looked at both old and new parts of Aboriginal life. She also spoke out against unfair treatment and injustice for Aboriginal people. She deeply understood how important land was to Indigenous peoples. She also studied how losing land affected them. Her work always showed how important it was to understand the history of colonialism.
In 1984, she published an important article. It was called "Mapping the Past: An Atlas of Victorian clans, 1835-1904." This article became a key guide for understanding who traditionally owned Aboriginal land in Victoria. This was meant to be part of a bigger project. Sadly, she died just before her 48th birthday, having just started the second part.
Legacy
A street in Canberra, Australia, is named Diane Barwick St. This honors her important work.
