Yorta Yorta people

Map of Victorian Aborigines language territories

The Yorta Yorta people are the Indigenous Australians who traditionally lived around the junction of the Goulburn and Murray Rivers in present-day northeast Victoria.

Yorta Yorta Family Groups include the Bangerang, Kailtheban, Wollithiga, Moira, Ulupna, Kwat Kwat, Yalaba Yalaba and Nguaria-iiliam-wurrung clans.^[1]

The language is referred to generally as the Yorta Yorta language.

Prominent Yorta Yorta people include Burnum Burnum and Sir Douglas Nicholls.

Prominent Yorta Yorta people

William Cooper (1861-1941) - helped establish the Australian Aborigines' League in 1935. He led the first Aboriginal deputation to a Commonwealth minister, and another to protest the treatment of German Jews in 1938. His daughter, Amy Charles, was the matron of the first Aboriginal hostel established in Melbourne.

Jimmy Little (OAM) (born in 1937) - is a famous Aboriginal musician whose career spanned over 6 decades. In 1999, ARIA inducted Little into its Hall of Fame.

Sir Douglas Nicholls (1906-1988) - was a professional athlete and pastor with the Churches of Christ. He also was a pioneering campaigner for Aboriginal reconciliation.

Burnum Burnum (1936-1997) was an Aboriginal activist, actor and author.

Eric Onus - played an active role both politically and socially among Victorian Aboriginal people. He was also a founding member of the Australian Aboriginal league established by William Cooper in mid 1930's.

Margaret Tucker - an activist who grew up on Cummrugunja reserve. She was also a musician who sung at social occasion's raising funds for war efforts.

David Wirrpanda - current AFL player with the West Coast Eagles, known for his community work in helping to improve the lives of young indigenous Australians. The David Wirrpanda Foundation was launched in 2005. He was named the 9th most influential Aboriginal Australian by The Bulletin magazine on 30 November, 2007.[1]

References