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Colonial-era Violence Study Unveils Shocking Death Toll

11 months ago
11 months ago

Exploring the Colonial-Era Massacre Map: Uncovering a Grim Chapter in History

Key Points

  • Project tracked colonial-era massacres across the continent

  • More than 400 massacre sites were identified

  • Over 10,000 Indigenous people were killed in such massacres

Warning: this article discusses themes of violence and genocide that may be distressing to readers.

The long-running project to document the extent of colonial-era violence visited upon First Nations people has released its final results.

Known as the ‘massacre map’, the Colonial Frontier Massacres digital map project painstakingly investigated clashes between invading colonists and First Nations people across the continent between 1788 and 1930.

Its results paint a macabre picture of the founding of the modern nation: 438 massacres were recorded, resulting in the murders of 10,374 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The grim figures are considered “conservative”, with the true numbers possibly higher.

Having officially concluded in 2022, the project’s final research efforts, in which every site on the map was reviewed using archive material and contributions from the general public, have now wrapped up, leading to the release of the information.

The map, painstakingly researched over eight years, represents a significant milestone in the breaking of ‘the great Australian silence’, the inability or unwillingness of the broader Australian society to acknowledge the genocidal reality of the country’s founding.

That whitewashing began with the massacres themselves, with perpetrators often maintaining a code of silence amongst themselves so as to avoid repercussions.

“From the moment the British invaded Australia in 1788, they encountered active resistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owners and custodians …” .

“Frontier massacres were a defining strategy to contain and eradicate that resistance. As a result thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children were killed.”

While no legal definition of the word exists, the project defines ‘massacre’ as the deliberate killing of six or more “relatively undefended people” in one operation.

That number was selected for its “devastating” impact on tight-knit Indigenous communities.

In recognising the resistance of First Nations peoples, which was fierce and sustained, the project records 13 massacres of non-Indigenous colonists, resulting in the deaths of 160 people.

Retaliation against these massacres almost always resulted in reprisals of “extraordinary scale”.

Speaking to the Guardian, researcher Dr Bill Pascoe said the map provided irrefutable evidence of the horrors of colonisation faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

“Back in the 80s and 90s it was possible for people to argue that the frontier wasn’t so violent, and for them to be believed,” he said.

“Nobody can argue that point any more. Anybody can go and read the evidence for themselves. It’s time to move on to the next step – now that we know that these events happened, we need to understand more about them.”

Conclusion

This groundbreaking research on colonial-era massacres provides a sobering insight into Australia’s dark past, shedding light on the violence and genocide faced by Indigenous peoples. The ‘massacre map’ serves as a crucial tool in confronting historical truths and addressing the long-standing silence surrounding these atrocities. Moving forward, it is imperative to continue acknowledging and learning from this painful chapter in history to pave the way for healing and reconciliation.

FAQ

1. What is the ‘massacre map’ project?

The ‘massacre map’ project is a comprehensive initiative that tracks colonial-era massacres across Australia between 1788 and 1930. It aims to document the extent of violence inflicted upon First Nations people during the country’s early history.

2. How many massacre sites were identified in the project?

Over 400 massacre sites were identified through the project’s meticulous research, highlighting the widespread nature of violence against Indigenous communities during the colonial period.

3. What is the significance of the project’s findings?

The project’s findings provide irrefutable evidence of the genocidal reality of Australia’s founding, challenging the prevailing narratives and prompting a reevaluation of the country’s historical legacy. It underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing past injustices to move towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

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