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The '''Yagan Memorial'''<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/03/2916862.htm ABC News] Aboriginal Warrior's Final Resting Place</ref> is being created at the City of Swan to honour the memory of ''Yagan'', the son of Midgigoroo and Moyran. It will be situated at West Swan Road, Swan Valley, [[Australia]]. Yagan was a very important representative of the Beeliar people who was instrumental in trying to forge good working relations with the first white settlers of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia.
The '''Yagan Memorial'''<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/03/2916862.htm ABC News] Aboriginal Warrior's Final Resting Place</ref> is being created at the ''City of Swan'' to honour the memory of ''Yagan'', the son of Midgigoroo and Moyran. It will be situated at West Swan Road, Swan Valley, [[Australia]]. Yagan was a very important representative of the Beeliar people who was instrumental in trying to forge good working relations with the first white settlers of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia.
The imagery will tell the story of Yagan and his family, their alienation from the white people, the taking and fencing off of their traditional land, the killings and the payback, and the treacherous ambush of Yagan, Heegan and his party by the Keates brothers at the site in 1833. Wall one will depict the story of Yagan and his people from colonisation to his untimely and tragic death.<ref>[http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020578b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition]</ref>
The imagery will tell the story of Yagan and his family, their alienation from the white people, the taking and fencing off of their traditional land, the killings and the payback, and the treacherous ambush of Yagan, Heegan and his party by the Keates brothers at the site in 1833. Wall one will depict the story of Yagan and his people from colonisation to his untimely and tragic death.<ref>[http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020578b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition]</ref>
The story of '''Yagan''' dives strongly in the hearts of the ''Nyungar'' people. Son of Midgigooroo and Moyran, Yagan was a great leader of the Jondarup Ballaruk clan moeities. In the early years of colonisation by the British, the strangers to the area of Beeliar (Perth) were welcomed by the Indigenous people and seen as Djanga – returning spirits of the dead. As time went on, the increasing domination of the settler colony resulted in restrictions to land access for the custodians of the area, ultimately threatening their cultural wellbeing, and their relationship to country. Aboriginal resistance followed and Yagan will always be remembered for his intelligence, strength, courage and influence during this period of resistance.
The story of '''Yagan''' dives strongly in the hearts of the ''Nyungar'' people. Son of Midgigooroo and Moyran, Yagan was a great leader of the Jondarup Ballaruk clan moeities. In the early years of colonisation by the British, the strangers to the area of Beeliar (Perth) were welcomed by the Indigenous people and seen as Djanga – returning spirits of the dead. As time went on, the increasing domination of the settler colony resulted in restrictions to land access for the custodians of the area, ultimately threatening their cultural wellbeing, and their relationship to country. Aboriginal resistance followed and Yagan will always be remembered for his intelligence, strength, courage and influence during this period of resistance.
As a cultural warrior, Yagan was fearless and highly respected both from hisd own countrymen and those of the settlement led by ''Captain James Stirling''. Yagan’s ability to bridge the cultural gap allowed the Nyungar people a voice for negotiation and a hope for cultural exchange. However, despite the friendships he had made with several families of importance and the infamy of his character, the Nyungar people continued to be dispossessed of land, marginalized and treated with cruelty. Because of his unusual position within the new society, Yagan was able to stand up for his people, which resulted in there being reward for his capture. Yagan was outlawed and on the 11th of July 1833, was shot dead for a reward of $30 by two young brothers whom he had previously befriended. Yagan’s Head was then cut from his body and sent to [[England]].
As a cultural warrior, Yagan was fearless and highly respected both from hisd own countrymen and those of the settlement led by ''Captain James Stirling''. Yagan’s ability to bridge the cultural gap allowed the Nyungar people a voice for negotiation and a hope for cultural exchange. However, despite the friendships he had made with several families of importance and the infamy of his character, the Nyungar people continued to be dispossessed of land, marginalized and treated with cruelty. Because of his unusual position within the new society, Yagan was able to stand up for his people, which resulted in there being reward for his capture. Yagan was outlawed and on the 11th of July 1833, was shot dead for a reward of '''£30''' by two young brothers whom he had previously befriended. Yagan’s Head was then cut from his body and sent to [[England]].
The repatriation of Yagan’s remains had been a long and arduous journey, not being recovered until 19 (?) from a museum in [[London]]. Yagan is now finally able to be put to rest in his own country with the dignity and respect so deserved of this fallen warrior.
The repatriation of Yagan’s remains had been a long and arduous journey, not being recovered until 1997 from a museum in [[London]]. Yagan is now finally able to be put to rest in his own country with the dignity and respect so deserved of this fallen warrior.
This artwork is in memory of Yagan. The work depicts two stories; that of the life of the Nyungar people prior to the settlement, and the story of Yagan. Its positioning will be the entry to Yagan’s burial site, therefore allowing visitors to the site a chance to contemplate the loss experienced by not only the Nyungar people, but to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout [[Australia]]. The work is of great cultural importance as it pays respect to one of the legendary figures in Perth’s history. Among many others, past and present, Yagan stood proud and fought for freedom and the cultural rights of his people and his country. This artwork pays tribute to Yagan, a cultural hero. May he finally rest in peace.
This artwork is in memory of Yagan. The work depicts two stories; that of the life of the Nyungar people prior to the settlement, and the story of Yagan. Its positioning will be the entry to Yagan’s burial site, therefore allowing visitors to the site a chance to contemplate the loss experienced by not only the Nyungar people, but to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout [[Australia]]. The work is of great cultural importance as it pays respect to one of the legendary figures in Perth’s history. Among many others, past and present, Yagan stood proud and fought for freedom and the cultural rights of his people and his country. This artwork pays tribute to Yagan, a cultural hero. May he finally rest in peace.
== Artists ==
== Artists ==
[[File:Yagan 1sb.jpg|thumb|left|500px|Yagan Memorial Wall Design ''by'' [[Directory:Sandra Hill|Sandra Hill]] ]]
[[File:Yagan 1sb.jpg|thumb|left|500px|Yagan Memorial Wall Design ''by'' [[Directory:Sandra Hill|Sandra Hill]] ]]
Working team members are Tracie Pushman, Laurel Nannup and Ellen McFetridge. Roman Antiok has built the rammed earth walls and [[Peter Zuvela]] is documenting [[Photography|photographically]] the entire artwork process
Working team members are Tracie Pushman, Laurel Nannup and Ellen McFetridge. Roman Antiok has built the rammed earth walls and [[Peter Zuvela]] is documenting [[Photography|photographically]] the entire artwork process
and working to install all of the artworks on the walls.
and working to install all of the artworks on the walls.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Directory:Sandra Hill|Sandra Hill]]
* [[Directory:Sandra Hill|Sandra Hill]]