Genocide of the Gwydir People
by David Paull and Polly Cutmore
This book deals with key issues of Australian history, focusing on the history of one First Nation family from first contact to the current day. This is a story of the British and subsequent governments’ complicity in genocide of the First Peoples and their culture and the ways the indigenous inhabitants, resisted, survived and adapted to this onslaught.
The book has a strong geographic theme, which looks at the history of a single region or country of New South Wales, the Gwydir River, a major tributary of the Darling River system. The first contact years between the two cultures are examined and some First Nation testimony of the events of this period are published for the first time. The evolving programs and policies of the authorities over the ensuing years towards the First People are traced and their impacts on one tribe and family described. The intent is an honest appraisal of the history, in the words of those who witnessed it, in the spirit of Truth-telling, reconciliation and justice for First Peoples in this country.
Peter, as he was known, and the central role his people played in the history of the Gwydir, Moree and Terry Hie Hie, the home of the Cutmore ancestors. The family are proud of their heritage and identity and fought hard to keep their culture alive. But racism and the cultural suppression of the post contact period, culminating in the draconian Assimilation policies, in their attempt to wash our First Nation heritage from our collective history, have not kept quiet the descendants of the traditional owners. Now the untold story of the Cutmore family must be told as one of incredible resilience and survival in the face of genocidal colonialism.
“This book is destined to contribute to Australia's enlightenment. The research for the book allows the reader to gain a true appreciation of the frontier violence but also the determination of Aboriginal resistance. Ignorance of the true nature of the invasion of Australia is no longer an excuse and people opening these pages will be shocked by the wealth of information that is new to them but also the grace and generosity with which it is communicated. ”
Bruce Pascoe, author of 'Dark Emu' (10/012026)
Mehi Books are Polly Cutmore and David Paull who currently share their time between their bush retreat in the Pilliga Forest and Moree. They are committed to telling the stories of this country, in an honest and open way.
Maria 'Polly' Cutmore is a Gamailaraay/Wiriyaraay/Anaiwan traditional owner and elder. She was born at the Moree Aboriginal Station ('the Mission') during the assimilation period. She has spent most her life working in various roles to assist her community and people, now is dedicated to truth-telling and empowering her people to have a voice and say in their road to self-determination. She is a strong advocate for ensuring that destructive water theft, land clearing and mining and gas development do not go unchecked. She is working to make sure her people's voice is heard with regards to climate change and its impact on her community. David is an ecologist by trade, having spent most of his life documenting biodiversity and impacts of development on our fauna and flora. He met Polly while working to stop Santos and their plans for a massive gasfield.