Gumbuli of Ngukurr: Aboriginal Elder of Arnhem Land

Two stories overlap and interweave in this biography of a remarkable Aboriginal elder, Michael Gumbuli Wurramara, AM – his story and the story of the Ngukurr community in the second half of the 20th century.

Originally from the remote islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, as a teenager, Gumbuli moved to the Roper River Mission (later known as Ngukurr) and became one of the community leaders who fought hard to achieve local decision-making when the government took over its control. Later he became the first Aboriginal Anglican priest in the Northern Territory and for over 30 years leader of the Arnhem Land Anglicans facing many challenging issues when traditional Aboriginal ways met Western culture and the Christian faith.

The other story describes the Ngukurr community in the second half of the 20th century, as it seeks its own mix of ancient and modern cultures. Along the way issues arise such as health, education, employment, economics, welfare, Stolen Generation, polygamy, alcohol and Aboriginal spirituality. The pleas of ‘Why don’t you ask us”‘ seems to fall on deaf ears in each generation.

This is an extremely readable and thought provoking book and is based on extensive interviews, observation and archival records and will challenge many assumptions about the relationships between government, missions and Aborigines.

Two stories overlap and interweave in this biography of Gumbuli. One is of Aboriginal elder, Michael Gumbuli Wurramara, who became the first Aboriginal Anglican priest in the Northern Territory and for over 30 years, leader of the Arnhem Land Anglicans and ‘architect’ of the Kriol Bible Translation Project. He faced many of the challenging issues arising from traditional Aboriginal ways meeting Western culture and the Christian faith. The second story describes the life of Ngukurr community in the second half of the 20th century, as it seeks to achieve a mix of ancient and modern cultures. This work is based on extensive interviews, observation and archival research. It challenges many assumptions about the relationships between government, missions and Aborigines. A collection of photographs, many of historical importance, accompanies the text.

x, 414 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), facsims., maps, plans, ports. ; 25 cm. #300122
Wurramara, Michael Gumbuli. | Anglican Church of Australia — Clergy — Biography. | Priests — Northern Territory — Ngukurr — Biography. | Aboriginal Australians — Northern Territory — Ngukurr — Biography. | Anglican Church of Australia — Missions — Northern Territory — Ngukurr. | Language – Kriol. | Government policy – Self determination – 1972-1984. | Religions – Christianity – Anglican Church. | History – Biographies – Indigenous. | Religions – Christianity – Missions. | Religions – Christianity – Clergy. | Ceremonies. | Groote Eylandt (NT Gulf Islands SD53-07, SD53-08) | Arnhem Land (NT) | Ngukurr (NT Top End Roper SD53-10) | Australian