Western Bundjalung people facts for kids

The Western Bundjalung people are a group of Aboriginal tribes. They live in north-east New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Their traditional lands are along the Clarence River. This area is now part of places like Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn Shire, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, and Tenterfield Shire Council.

Their Traditional Lands

The Western Bundjalung people have a strong connection to their land. Their traditional country covers a large area, about 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi). This land stretches from the Hogarth Range in the east to Bald Rock National Park in the west. It also includes parts of the Clarence River near Moleville and Carpet Snake Creek.

The Bundjalung Language

The Western Bundjalung people speak different forms of the Bandjalangic languages. These are sometimes called the Middle Clarence dialects. Some of these dialects include:

• Waalulbal
• Baryulgil/Wirribi (versions of Wehlubal)
• Casino, which is a Galibal dialect.

Early European Settlement and Conflicts

In the 1840s, European settlers, called squatters, started moving onto Western Bundjalung lands. These settlers claimed large areas for themselves. In 1840, the first land grant was given to a settler named Stapleton.

In 1841, a conflict happened where a Scottish settler named Peter Cunningham Pagan died. This event led to a series of violent attacks on the Aboriginal people. Settlers formed groups and raided Aboriginal camps. Many Bundjalung people were harmed or lost their lives during these attacks.

One Western Bundjalung man, named Mundi, survived these events as a child. He carried a scar from a bullet for the rest of his life. According to the Bundjalung people's oral history, at least 17 members of their community died in these incidents.

Protecting Their Land: Native Title

Native title is a legal way for Aboriginal people to get their traditional land rights recognised. On 29 August 2017, a judge from the Federal Court made an important decision. The court ruled in favour of the Western Bundjalung people. This decision recognised their native title rights over more than 800 areas of land.

The judge also criticised the New South Wales government. She said they were too slow in dealing with the native title claim. The claim had been made six years earlier, in 2011. This was the 10th native title recognition in New South Wales.

Famous Bundjalung People

• Archie Roach (his father's family was Bundjalung)