Tunnerminnerwait: The Great Australian Freedom Fighter
Defiance and Sacrifice in the Struggle Against Colonial Oppression !
This portrait of Tunnerminnerwait was done by Thomas Bock between 1831 and 1835. It was published in James Fenton’s History of Tasmania Hobart [1884].
Tunnerminnerwait (c. 1812–1842) was an Australian Aboriginal resistance fighter from Tasmania, whose defiance against European colonization left a profound legacy. Born on Robbins Island in Tasmania, he belonged to the Parperloihener clan and witnessed the brutalities of colonization from a young age. Tunnerminnerwait's life was marked by a series of resistances against the colonial forces, culminating in his execution in 1842. His story is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Indigenous people in the face of overwhelming oppression.
Early Life and Encounters with Colonists
Tunnerminnerwait grew up during a period of intense conflict between the Aboriginal people and European settlers. The early 19th century in Tasmania was characterized by violence and massacres, such as the Cape Grim massacre in 1828, which Tunnerminnerwait witnessed as an 11-year-old. These traumatic events shaped his views and fueled his resistance against the colonizers. He first met George Augustus Robinson, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, in 1830. Robinson employed Tunnerminnerwait as a guide on his expeditions, praising him as an "exceeding willing and industrious young man." Despite this seemingly positive relationship, Tunnerminnerwait's underlying discontent with colonial rule remained.
Relocation to the Mainland and Resistance
In 1839, Robinson relocated Tunnerminnerwait and other Tasmanian Aboriginal people to Melbourne, with the intention that they would help "civilize" the Victorian Aboriginal population. However, this relocation did not quell Tunnerminnerwait's spirit of resistance. By 1841, he, along with his wife Planobeena (Fanny) and others, including notable figures Truganini and Maulboyheenner, embarked on an eight-week campaign of resistance against European settlers in the Port Philip area. They stole guns and ammunition, raided settlements, and evaded capture for several weeks. Their campaign highlighted the desperate measures Indigenous people took to defend their land and way of life.
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