LT – Black Knowing – DOUBLE episode with Dr. Thom Blake

Murri Country

Tune in for a special double episode of Let’s Talk – Black Knowing as Chelsea and David catch up with historian Dr. Thomas Blake. They learn a bit about Thom’s early life, and particularly his formative experiences working in Cunnamulla in the 1970s. They talk a bit about the experiences and relationships that led Thom to decide to work on and support projects like “A Dumping Ground: A History of the Cherbourg Settlement” (2001), “Is that you, Ruthie?” (2003) written by Aunty Ruth Hegarty, and “Yalanya: That’s the way it is” (2024), which tells the story of Pastor Don Brady and his family.

Chelsea and David talk about Thom’s approach to historical research that is led first by the personal histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and then draws on archival research to deepen and expand their story. They talk about the challenges of working in and for community, and the care and trust that is required to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who want to tell the truth about their history. And they reflect on the way that Thom’s work consistently ends up centering stories of resistance, survival, dignity, care, and love; disrupting the traditional approach to writing histories of colonisation that position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only as passive or hapless victims.

A big and wide-ranging double episode to warm up your chilly Monday morning, and another powerful reminder that all of us have a role to play in amplifying Black knowing.

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