What was the relationship between the early explorers and the indigenous people of the region?

Answer 1

The relationship between Australian explorers and the indigenous people varied tremendously.

For many years, there was a mutual wariness between the explorers and the aboriginal people, borne of misunderstandings and cultural misconceptions. Certain explorers such as Australia's first Governor, Arthur Phillip, believed it was their duty to "civilise" the Aborigines, and while he meant them no harm, it still caused irreparable damage to their way of life. The very first explorers to cross the Blue Mountains, Lawson, Blaxland and wentworth, were certainly wary of being speared in the night.

Captain Charles Sturt, who explored from 1829-30, respected the aboriginal culture. He made a point of being friendly and trading with the Aborigines, something that certainly saved his life when Aborigines whom he had befriended saw off a warring native party.

Then there were people like Major Thomas Mitchell who seemed to hold ambivalent views, believing on the one hand that the Aborigines were savages, and yet on the other hand, taking in a young girl to try and each white ways.

Edward Eyre saw both sides. Two Aborigines of his exploration party killed his white overseer, John Baxter, and made off with supplies and rifles, while one Aborigines, Wylie, stayed faithfully by Eyre's side as he crossed the Nullarbor.

Aborigines of northern Australia were very hostile, killing promising young explorer Edmund Kennedy for no apparent reason. Yes Kennedy died in the arms of his faithful aboriginal companion, Jacky-Jacky. Northern Aborigines also killed one of Leichhardt's party, but this was believed to be because the men had been interfering with the aboriginal women.

Aborigines kept Burke and Wills alive for as long as possible, feeding them specially prepared nardoo plants, but it is believed that Burke's own hostility and mistrust drove them away.

Later explorers such as Peter Warburton were quite cruel, capturing and tying up individuals for the sake of eliciting information.

Answer 2

The relationship between early explorers and indigenous people was often marked by misunderstandings, conflicts, and exploitation. Explorers sought to impose their own cultural beliefs and extract resources from indigenous populations, leading to violence and displacement. Indigenous people were often viewed as obstacles to be overcome rather than respected as partners in exploration.