Tonight I caught this very interesting story on ABC by chance. I’m disappointed that I have never heard the tale of this man before. If I had learnt it as a child I’m sure that I would have found it captivating. This story would be well worth teaching children as it would surly capture their interest and help shape a positive and informed view of Australian Aboriginal culture. Australian history and Aboriginal culture was certainly something that I was taught far too little of in school; I hope this situation has changed. This was certainly not the first time I have seen a program like this and been annoyed that I hadn’t already known about what I see as a key event in our history.
The program closed mentioning that many Aboriginals viewed William Buckley as a traitor. I feel that this is an unfortunate view. I would take the aproach that he wasn’t intentionally a traitor, he was simply doing what it took to survive. Certainly Buckley is an important part of our shared history, well worth recognition for how he took to the Aboriginal way of life.
