Author Richard Trudgen's 'Why Warriors' organisation is confronting stigmatising statements about Indigenous Australians head-on in a new online Q&A series from Arnhem Land.
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The '100+ Q&A" series' first episode confronted the often quoted statement about Indigenous people not having invented the wheel prior to European settlement.
Mr Trudgen addressed appropriation of the wheel in European and Asian countries from Persia, and pointed to another significant mechanical achievement of Indigenous people in arguing against stigmatisation - the boomerang.
"Who was it that first created unmanned controlled flight?" Trudgen asks.
"Of course it was aboriginal people in the design of their boomerangs," he says.
Why Warriors was founded by Mr Trudgen following the success of his seminal work "Why Warriors Lie Down" about the Yolngu people of North-East Arnhem Land, and builds upon his more than 40 years of experience working in Arnhem Land.
The Yolngu peoples are one of many Indigenous groups with a strong presence in Katherine.
The series has been started to "increase understanding between Indigenous peoples and the Dominant Culture and so we share this information to the wider community," according to an organisation spokeswoman Justine Speed.
"We tackle ordinary questions, intriguing questions, and some of those more uncomfortable questions... and for those of you who're involved directly with Aboriginal communities there's also lots of practical tips and tools.
"If you've ever had questions about Yolu fire management, farming, roles of women in society, why money doesn't solve issues in communities or anything else then come take a look," Ms Speed said.
You can find the first episode of the series at https://www.whywarriors.com.au/2020/03/100-qa-week-1/, or through the Why Warriors Facebook page.
