“Custodians OK, but well isn’t “OWNERS” a bit strong?
I mean, they had recognized boundaries, but the didn’t really own the land did they?”
Well the early officials recorded it as ownership!
Take a look at this copy of the Census taken in Yellagonga’s day…
It is entitled:
“Names & Census of Natives, original Owners of Land on the Right & Left Banks of the Swan, from Fremantle to the Head of River.”
Yup – they owned it.
We already, officially said they owned it. Makes you wonder why we argue about it now, doesn’t it!
In fact, if it was officially recognized that they owned it – then how could we not have declared a Treaty with them!
In fact, as Cedric Jacobs points out, The English Authorities in 1768 commissioned its officers prior to their departure from England to Botany Bay, Australia with the following words.
On your arrival you will settle sections of the land with the consent of the Natives. Should there be no native people living on the land then you are to claim the land in the name of the Monarch of Great Britain.
They declared the land empty – Terra Nullus.
Terra Nullus is a blatant breach of their commission!
[...] by wwwestlake under Uncategorized 1 Comment Q: How do you recognize Aboriginal traditional ownership of this [...]
[...] (the last time the aboriginal people were soverign owners of the land) officially recorded who owned the lands. Therefore how could they not have declared a Treaty with them, or at least asked their [...]