1. A Guide to
Aboriginal Australia and
Maori New Zealand
By Karly Clippinger

2. The Bone People-
Whangaroa
• Harbor
• Northern New Zealand
• Boyd Massacre Dec 1809, 70+ killed
as revenge for the mistreatment of
the son of a local chief
• History of violence between the
mission and locals
• Joe and Simon's house
• History of violence linked
to Simons abuse?
• Role reversal

3. The Bone People-
Moerangi
• Whirinaki Forest Park
• Secluded
• Location of Kerewin’s
bachs
• Where conflicts are
resolved between
Kerewin and Joe

4. The Bone People-
Taiaroa
• City of Dunedin
• Royal Albatross
colony
• Location of the
shell house
• Kerewin’s tower
• Not near the
Gillayley’s house
http://www.newzealandlighthouses.com/taiaroa_head.htm

5. The Bone People-
SYMBOLS and THEMES
Symbols
Spirals – (Spiral staircase, song references) In Maori
culture they represent new life, growth, or new
beginnings
Birds-(kerewin’s phoenix, the bird Simon kills etc.)
symbol of rebirth
Alcohol- is often a symbol for European influence and a
precursor to violence; Maori struggle to maintain their
culture with increasing European influence
Themes
Struggle with violence exacerbated by alcohol abuse,
while also searching for acceptance within their
families and communities.

6. My Place-
Perth
• Capital of Western
Australia
• Largest City
• .2% of the population is
aboriginal (~3101)
• Where Sally lives and is
first discriminated against

7. My Place-
Corunna Downs Station
• Rural
• Military Base
• Arthur and Daisy were
born here
• Sally and Gladys
visit and find
acceptance and
family connections

8. My Place-
SYMBOLS and THEMES
Symbols
Identity- (Familial, ethnic, self) Balancing act of white
society’s pressure and Aboriginal cultural expectations.
Birds-They represent ties to aboriginal past and accepting
ones place in society.
Themes
Assimilation- is a common predicament where aboriginal
and white cultures meet. Individuals feel an urge to be
accepted and belong within a group.
Secrets/Acceptance- Characters only feel accepted when
they do not have secrets (Daisy accepting, Sally claiming
her heritage)

9. Carpentaria-
The Gulf of Carpentaria
(Desperance)
• Prone to cyclones (Nov-April)
• Zinc, lead and silver are mined
• Mudflats and mangrove swamps
are common
• Very rural, the majority of this
area is aboriginal land
• Setting of Carpentaria
• Represents a connection to
aboriginal heritage
• Normal fishing
• Elias emerges
• Hope’s death
• Will’s island
• Bala and Normal reunited turning
point

10. Carpentaria-
SYMBOLS and THEMES
Symbols
Birds- (great bat drive, Cyclone bird, sea hawk, swallows)
Represent hope, change and aboriginal culture
Fish- (Elias’ death, Normal’s life)
Religious icons-(creative serpent, Virgin Mary, 40 days and
40 nights) Connection to heritage
Ghosts- (Will during the cyclone)
Themes
Magical Realism- elements of dreamtime add to the
storytelling aspect of this text
Chaos- fight between tribes, murder, Elias’ arrival,
evacuation during the cyclone,

11. Sources
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Carpentaria
• http://www.newzealandlighthouses.com/taiaroa_head.htm
• http://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/science/descript/gulfc
arp.htm
• http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_14607.htm
• http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ozatwar/corunnadowns.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangaroa
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moerangi_River