Yorta Yorta people

Map of Victorian Aborigines language territories

The Yorta Yorta people are the Indigenous Australians who traditionally lived around the junction of the Goulburn and Murray Rivers in present-day northeast Victoria.

Yorta Yorta Family Groups include the Bangerang, Kailtheban, Wollithiga, Moira, Ulupna, Kwat Kwat, Yalaba Yalaba and Nguaria-iiliam-wurrung clans.

The language is referred to generally as the Yorta Yorta language.

History

Native title claim

Main article: Yorta Yorta v Victoria

In a Native title claim submitted in 1995 by the Yorta Yorta people it was determined by Justice Olney in 1998 that the ‘tide of history’ had ‘washed away’ any real acknowledgement of traditional laws and any real observance of traditional customs by the applicants. An appeal was made to the full bench of the Federal Court on the grounds that "the trial judge erroneously adopted a ‘frozen in time’ approach" and "failed to give sufficient recognition to the capacity of traditional laws and customs to adapt to changed circumstances". The Appeal was dismissed in a majority 2 to 1 decision. The case was taken on appeal to the High Court of Australia but also dismissed in a 5 to 2 majority ruling in December 2002.

In consequence of the failed native title claim, in May 2004 the Victorian State Government led by Premier Steve Bracks signed an historic co-operative management agreement with the Yorta Yorta people covering public land, rivers and lakes in north-central Victoria. The agreement gives the Yorta Yorta people a say in the management of traditional country including the Barmah State Park, Barmah State Forest, Kow Swamp and public land along the Murray and Goulburn rivers. Ultimate decision making responsibility was retained by the Environment Minister

Prominent Yorta Yorta people

William Cooper (1861-1941) - helped establish the Australian Aborigines' League in 1935. He led the first Aboriginal deputation to a Commonwealth minister, and another to protest the treatment of German Jews in 1938. His daughter, Amy Charles, was the matron of the first Aboriginal hostel established in Melbourne. In August 2010, the Yad VaShem Holocaust museum in Israel announced they would honor William for his protests on behalf of Jews after Kristallnacht. Yad Vashem plans to endow a small garden at its entrance in Cooper's honor. Cooper's name was submitted for recognition when it was discovered that Cooper's rally was the only private protest against Germany in the wake of Kristallnacht.

Jimmy Little (OAM) (born in 1937) - is a famous Aboriginal musician whose career has spanned over six decades. In 1999, ARIA inducted Little into its Hall of Fame.

Sir Douglas Nicholls (1906-1988) - was a professional athlete, pastor with the Churches of Christ, pioneering campaigner for Aboriginal reconciliation, the first Aboriginal person to be knighted, and the first Aboriginal person appointed to vice-regal office, serving as Governor of South Australia 1976-77.

Burnum Burnum (1936-1997) was an Aboriginal activist, actor and author.

Eric Onus - played an active role both politically and socially among Victorian Aboriginal people. He was also a founding member of the Australian Aboriginal league established by William Cooper in mid 1930's.

Margaret Tucker - an activist who grew up on Cummrugunja reserve. She was also a musician who sung at social occasions raising funds for war efforts.

David Wirrpanda - current AFL player with the West Coast Eagles, known for his community work in helping to improve the lives of young indigenous Australians. The David Wirrpanda Foundation was launched in 2005. He was named the 9th most influential Aboriginal Australian by The Bulletin magazine on 30 November 2007.[1]

Andrew Walker, a current AFL Player with the Carlton Football Club. He is a number one draft pick and took one of the contenders for "Mark of the Year" in 2011.