Further Resources and Discussion Papers
“Snowy Monaro Regional Council Arts and Culture”
Please click HERE to download and review the Snowy Mountains Regional Council’s Arts and Culture Discussion Paper
“Ngarigo Storytelling Framework 2021”
Please click HERE to download and review the Ngarigo Storytelling Framework 2021 Discussion Paper
“Ngarigo Nation Indigenous Corporation (NNIC) Response to the ‘Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report’ Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct, Snowy Monaro Regional Council LGA. April 2021”
Please click HERE to download and review the NNIC Response to the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct
“Reconnecting Identity”
Please click HERE to download and review the Reconnecting Identity Discussion Paper
“NNIC Process Confirming Identity”
Introduction
Ngarigo Nation are the people of the snow. We are mountain people (Bemeringal), proud, determined, respectful, caring, sharing and compassionate. We look after our own. We had seasonal journeys down the mountain to hunt, trade and participate in ceremony. We stand up for ourselves. The Wirajuri used to describe us as Guramal (hostile people), which probably reflected their experiences when we journeyed down the mountain.
We want our tribe to become strong once again, capable of meeting the needs of all members in the new millennium. Most of our tribe died early in the colonial period through disease, poisoning, massacres and murder. Many tribal members were spread far and wide from the 1820s onwards. At one time it was believed that the Ngarigo tribe was extinct, but we know that is untrue. We are alive and well and seeking to find our dispersed tribal brothers and sisters and bring them home.
We are undertaking an audit of Ngarigo people to bring us together. Anyone you know who identifies as Ngarigo or who suspects they have a Ngarigo connection, we want to meet them. We have prepared an information pack to assist people where necessary.
The Confirmation of Ngarigo Tribal Identity Information Pack
This information pack is primarily focussed on establishing a Ngarigo blood connection. When this is done, the information needs to be put into a family story which shows how you personally connect to the Ngarigo tribe.
Establishing Blood Connection
We require the name of the apical ancestor/s and any details you may have about them such as:
Date of birth
Location of birth
Name of father
Name of mother
Birth certificates
Baptism certificates
Sibling birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Death certificates
Name of their siblings, extended family were possible
Articles/photos/statements of fact about ancestors
Examples of the type of information you can find in the Births, Deaths and Marriages are shown below. Sometimes Aboriginality is specifically stated, but tribal membership is rarely stated. However, the overall information contained in these documents provides important signposts to follow up such as place of birth gives an indication of possible tribal identity.
Birth certificate:
Surname
Given name of the child
Date of birth
Place of birth
Sex
Father’s name
Occupation
Mother’s name
Mother’s maiden name
Ages
Other children of the union
Place of residence
Registration number
Marriage certificate:
Names of the bride and groom
Bride’s maiden and former name/s
Their occupations
Usual place of residence
Where they were born
Any previous marriages
Names of their parent(s)
Registration number
Death Certificate:
• Name of deceased
• Sex
• Date of death
• Cause of death
• Place of death
• Age
• Occupation
• Residence
• Place of birth
• Place of marriage
• Name of spouse
• Children of the union
• Where buried
• Who the informant was
• Registration number
Sources of Information:
A very useful document to start with is the AIATSIS Family Kit
(https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-10/aiatsis-family-history-kit.pdf).
▪ AIATSIS Family Kit – is a comprehensive kit which lists many additional resources including how to contact AIATSIS to get extra advice.
▪ Link-Up
• New South Wales: www.linkupnsw.org.au
• Northern Territory Stolen Generations: www.ntsgac.org.au
• Queensland: www.link-upqld.org.au
• South Australia – Nunkuwarrin Yunti: nunku.org.au/our-services/social- emotional/link-up/
• Tasmania – no Link-Up services operate in Tasmania
• Victoria: www.linkupvictoria.org.au
• Western Australia – Kimberley Stolen Generation: kimberleystolengeneration.com.au
• Western Australia – Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation: www.yorgum.org.au
• Australian Capital Territory – contact New South Wales
▪ AIATSIS Family History Unit and Link-Ups
• The AIATSIS Family History Unit works closely with Link-Ups to help members of the Stolen Generations to find their families and to find out about their family history.
• In conjunction with Link-Ups, AIATSIS developed a Cert IV in Stolen Generations Family History Research and Case Management.
• AIATSIS also offers ongoing research support in family tracing.
• AIATSIS has memorandums of understanding with institutions located in Canberra and can assist Link-Ups to find and retrieve documents from the following institutions: ACT Heritage Library and ACT Territory Records, Australian War Memorial, National Archives of Australia, National Library of Australia, and the Noel Butlin Archives Centre.
Writing your personal family story
1. Your personal story should cover:
▪ where and how you fit in
What circumstances led to the separation
What circumstances led to the reconnection
What your understanding is of your rights and responsibilities as a tribal member
What Acceptance as a Ngarigo Tribesperson Means
1. Each member has a personal story which is confirmed by the Board
2. An identification certificate with the tribal logo and Ngarigo Nation Common Seal
3. A history of the Ngarigo tribe covering
Pre colonisation
The colonisation years
Present tribal circumstances
Future plans
Invitation to participate in the ongoing life and wellbeing of the tribe