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takara milaythina lutruwita nika paywuta
...walked this country forever

In the name of medical science

The removal of Aboriginal remains started with the Risdon Cove massacre in 1804. Those killed were salted down in wooden barrels and shipped to Sydney Town.

Since then, Aboriginal remains were dug up, their skulls sought after for studies into craniofacial anthropometry. The belief by Europeans was that Tasmanian Aborigines were a primitive form of humanity.

William Lanne (1869) and Trukanini (1876) were, according to the British, the last of their race. Shortly after Lanne’s death, his body was mutilated by Drs Crowther and Stokell. They removed his skull, hands and feet, and his scrotum was later made into a tobacco pouch.

Two years after Trukanini died, her body was exhumed and later placed on display in the Tasmanian Museum, from 1904–1947. In 1976, Trukanini was returned to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and cremated, her ashes were scattered in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Through shifting attitudes, museums and institutions worldwide are supporting the voice of Aboriginal people and returning their ancestors to be buried on Country.

Trukanini — Truganini 1812-1876

Born in 1812, Trukanini is arguably the most well-known Tasmanian Aboriginal woman. Her life epitomises the story of European invasion and the clash of two cultures.

Trukanini died on the 8th of May, 1876, at the age of sixty-four. Although originally buried at the Female Factory, South Hobart, her skeleton was acquired by the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1878 and placed on display at the Tasmanian Museum (1904-1947).

After lengthy legal battles with the trustees of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery the Aboriginal community in Tasmania were successful in having her remains returned. Trukanini was cremated on the 30th of April 1976. On a ‘lovely sunny morning’ the following day, her ashes were scattered in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel as she had wanted, nearly 100 years after her death.

Trukanini has become an important symbol of the struggle and survival for Tasmanian Aboriginals.

truwana
Cape Barren Island

truwana (Cape Barren Island) is the second largest island in the Furneaux Group with most residents living in the township of The Corner. Today, the community consists of approximately 100 people, most of whom are descendants of sealers and Aboriginal women.

In 1912, the Tasmanian government implemented the Cape Barren Island Reserve Act 1912. This act was put in place to restrict and control the movements of the Cape Barren Islanders. They were constantly threatened with eviction and subject to government regulations but were not entitled to government assistance.

Health was a challenge on the island with disease and poor nutrition exacerbated by limited access to health services. For decades, state and federal governments largely ignored the ongoing existence of the Island community. In 2005, the Tasmanian government released Crown lands on truwana to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania to be managed by the community organisation. This marked the first official handover of Crown land to an Aboriginal community in Tasmania.

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We acknowledge the Palawa and Gadigal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we live and work. We honour their enduring culture and knowledges as vital to the self-determination, wellbeing and resilience of their communities.

Authorised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Health. © 2 June 2022 University of Tasmania, Australia. ABN 30 764 374 782. CRICOS Provider Code 00586B