Launch date set for book on conflict, massacre

Prolific author and renowned historian Professor Alan Powell will launch his latest book “Blood and Sand” in Alice Springs next week.

The Charles Darwin University Emeritus Professor said the book told the story of the Alyawarra people and the cattlemen who, for more than a century, encroached on their freedom and their land in the Sandover River region northeast of Alice Springs.

“It’s a story of conflict and massacre, intimidation, suppression and assimilation that left just a remnant of an Aboriginal society,” Professor Powell said.

“It also explains how their remoteness, endurance and determination enabled their society to remain coherent into the era of Aboriginal rights, and describes their ability to continue elements of their traditional society in a modern world.”

Professor Powell said the book was born from a project on two separate Native Title history reports for the Central Land Council; one on Lake Nash Station and one on nearby Ooratippra.

“It did not take me long to see that the project encompassed the contact history of a tribal Aboriginal people and the rapid pastoral expansion into their lands.”

Professor Powell said the book launch would take place at Alice Springs campus on Thursday September 8 at 5.30pm. RSVPs to Kathryn.bailey@cdu.edu.au, or 8959 5235.