Page 126 - Ebook Explore Cape York

Explore Cape York 120
The people of Mapoon were finally forcibly removed in the early
1960’s and relocated to a number of QLD towns including
Thursday Island, New Mapoon near Bamaga and Thursday
Island - allegedly for their health, in reality, for the rich bauxite
deposits on their land. Their homes and all buildings, except for
the mission building, were burnt to the ground to prevent them
returning.

Mapoon people are not one to give up on a fight and lobbying to
return began almost immediately. In 1974, ten years after the
last of the residents were removed, the traditional owners of
Mapoon began their return home.

The book, White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old
Mapoon, a Memoir, by Barbara Miller graphically describes the
treatment meted out by the government and the people in
power, including the fight and journey of the people to return to
their homeland.