Yami Lester facts for kids
Yami Lester (born in 1941, died July 21, 2017) was a special Yankunytjatjara man. He was an Indigenous person from northern South Australia. Yami Lester is famous for speaking up against nuclear tests. He also fought for the rights of Indigenous people. He survived nuclear testing in the Australian outback.
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Nuclear Tests and Their Impact
Yami Lester was born in 1941. His birthplace was Walytjatjata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands of South Australia.
In the 1950s, when he was a young boy, something terrible happened. A "black mist" came from the south. This mist caused him to become blind.
After the mist passed, his family's camp faced many problems. People suddenly died. They also got skin rashes, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Some people became temporarily or permanently blind. Yami said that some people were too weak to get water. They died of thirst because they could not reach the waterhole.
Most people agree this "black mist" was nuclear fallout. This fallout came from British nuclear tests at Maralinga and Emu Junction. These tests were happening at that time.
Fighting for Recognition
Yami Lester helped Aboriginal people get recognition for the atomic tests. He made sure people knew about the 1800 Aboriginal people affected. This was a very important contribution.
His actions helped start the McClelland Royal Commission in 1985. This was a big investigation. The commission found that dangerous radiation still existed at the Maralinga test sites.
The commission made important suggestions. They said the Maralinga Tjarutja people should get money for what they suffered. They also said the land needed a huge, long-term cleanup. The goal was to make the land safe again.
Other Important Work
As a young man, Yami joined the Aboriginal Advancement League in Adelaide. But he wanted to do more. He wanted to take direct action, like Charles Perkins, a famous Indigenous activist.
Working as an Interpreter
Yami started working for the United Mission in Alice Springs. He was a welfare worker. He also worked as an interpreter for the courts. This meant he helped people understand each other.
Later, he joined the Institute of Aboriginal Development. This group focused on Aboriginal education and language. Yami was very interested in different cultures and programs.
Fighting for Land Rights
After working for the Mimili community, Yami worked with the Pitjantjatjara Land Council. He helped with Aboriginal lands rights issues. He worked with the South Australian Government.
He helped organize and interpret during a big event in 1981. This was when freehold title was given to the Anangu people. This happened because of the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act.
Personal Life
Yami Lester had three children. Their names are Rosemary, Leroy, and Karina. Karina also became a translator and activist.
He later retired to his traditional home. This was at Walatina Station near Marla in northern South Australia. He passed away on July 21, 2017, in Alice Springs. He was 75 years old.
Yami Lester's passing was a sad time for the Aboriginal community. But his impact and legacy live on through his family. The Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, honored Yami. He called him "one of the most significant Aboriginal leaders our country has known."
See also
- British nuclear tests at Maralinga
- McClelland Royal Commission
