Bauhinia Tree, The: The Life of Kankawa Nagarra Olive Knight

WEST AUSTRALIANA Aboriginal Music

With deep roots in the Kimberley region, Olive Knight shares her story of growing up with the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of north-western Australia. As the daughter of a half-caste father, she was nearly killed on the day of her birth, as was customary for halfblood children in her community. Thankfully she was spared by an elder, and would follow her own path, full of hardship as she moved from mission to mission. She eventually found love and fulfilment, following her late husband Jim’s passion for Indigenous rights, becoming a respected translator and community leader. After Jim’s death, Olive’s singing and songwriting opened unexpected worlds of opportunity. From early days in mission gospel choirs to finding her true voice in the country western, blues and rock n’ roll music of the day, Olive’s talent as a singer eventually led to collaborations with other artists and performers, many of whom sought her unique voice and ability to translate songs into her traditional language. In 2011, Olive was invited to sing as part of Hugh Jackman’s Back on Broadway production. Olive’s spirit and compassion continue to inspire as she speaks openly about the challenges of adopting young children in her mature years, and how she hopes to bring greater awareness and prevention efforts about substance abuse, particularly foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, within Indigenous communities in Australia. Olive’s devotion to the preservation and sharing of Indigenous language and culture, and her love of music and poetry, shine in this remarkable autobiography.
x, 108 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : colour illustrations, colour portraits, maps ; 24 cm First Edition #040423
Knight, Olive. | Women, Walmajarri — Western Australia — Biography. | Women singers — Australia — Biography. | Indigenous women — Western Australia — Biography. | Walmajarri (Australian people) — Biography. | Aboriginal Australians — Western Australia — Biography. | Outstations / Homelands movement. | Music – Contemporary – Country and Western. | Gooniyandi / Gunian people (K6) (WA SE52-09) | Child welfare – Child / parent separation – Stolen generations. | Substance use – Alcohol. | Religions – Christianity – Missions. | Language – Translation – Translating and interpreting. | Music – Vocal – Solo – Female. | Land rights – Ownership. | Walmajarri / Walmatjarri people (A66) (WA SE51-16) | Religions – Christianity – Missions – United Aborigines Mission. | Health status – Child health – Infants – Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. | Language – Maintenance. | Music – Contemporary – Gospel. | Music – Contemporary – Blues and jazz. | History – Biographies – Indigenous – Autobiographies. | Politics and Government – Political action – Activism. | Politics and Government – National symbols and events – Apologies. | Politics and Government – Political action – Land rights. | Gregory, Lake (W.A.). | Carnarvon (WA South Pilbara / Gascoyne SG49-04) | Noonkanbah / Yungngora (WA West Kimberley SE51-12) | Wangkatjungka / Christmas Creek (WA West Kimberley SE51-12) | Paruku / Lake Gregory (Central WA Great Sandy Desert SF52-01) | Bohemia Downs (WA East Kimberley SE52-09) | Bayulu / Gogo (WA West Kimberley SE51-12) | Fitzroy Crossing (WA West Kimberley SE51-12) | Australian