Broken Law (Malya Teamay’s Story)

“This is my father’s story, ‘Broken Law,’ told by Malya Teamay. He learned it from his brother, who has since passed away. It’s a sad story.

First, the first white man came and sat down with all the Anangu. The Anangu were painted up in the traditional way for inma (cultural song and dance). At that time, Anangu law was strong. Then the whitefellas returned and married Anangu women, having children, half-caste kids.

The whitefellas brought grog (alcohol), ganja (marijuana), and petrol, leading many Anangu to get sick and die. You can see the cemetery there. During this time, the law was being broken.

Now, there are big meetings with the government, where Anangu started talking with the whitefellas, using interpreters. We began to find jobs and work together in groups, having meetings. Now, the law is stronger again.”

— Freda Teamay, April 2018