Authorpreneur Dashboard – Barbara Miller

Barbara  Miller

White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon, A Memoir

Biographies & Memoirs

Barbara often found herself saying, “the stork dropped me at the wrong house’ only to find she was repeating her mother’s words. In this riveting memoir exploring race relations and social change, Aboriginal elder Burnum Burnum, told her, “you may be white but you have a black heart, as you understand my people and feel our heart.’ He suggested to International Development Action that she take on the Mapoon project and played matchmaker by introducing her to Aboriginal teacher and Australian civil rights movement leader Mick Miller. The Mapoon Aborigines were forcibly moved off their land by the Queensland government in NE Australia in 1963 to make way for mining. With an effective team behind her, Barbara helped them move back in 1974 to much government opposition which saw her under house arrest with Marjorie Wymarra. It also saw Jerry Hudson and Barbara taken to court. In helping the Mapoon people return to their homeland, she found her home as part of an Aboriginal family, firstly Mick’s and later Norman’s as she remarried many years later, now being with her soulmate Norman about 30 years. It is a must read for those interested in ethnic studies and political science as an isolated outback community whose houses, school, health clinic, store and church were burnt to the ground rose from the ashes and rebuilt despite all the odds. It is a testimony to the Mapoon people’s strength.

Rough-Cut Book Bubbles from White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon, A Memoir

Charred Remains of Homes of an Ancient People

I had heard a little of the story of Mapoon but nothing could prepare me for the devastation I encountered at this beautiful seaside Aboriginal community on western Cape York Australia. It looked like a bushfire had blazed through it. Yet human hands were responsible. How could they? Who did it? Why did they? As a writer, I tried to recapture how I felt over 40 years later recounting visiting this scene with people whose homes were burned. I didn't sense any finger pointing at me because of what had happened. But there was a plea. Could I help to turn back history? How would you as a reader feel in a similar situation?

Click Follow to receive emails when this author adds content on Bublish

We use cookies so you get the best experience on our website. By using our site, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. ACCEPT COOKIES