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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'In 1957, Ella Simon of Purfleet mission near Taree, New South Wales, applied for and was granted a certificate of exemption. Exemption gave her legal freedoms denied to other Indigenous Australians at that time: she could travel freely, open a bank account, and live and work where she wanted. In the eyes of the law she became a non-Aboriginal, but in return she could not associate with other Aboriginal people even her own family or community.
'It 'stank in my nostrils' - Ella Simon 1978.
'These personal and often painful histories uncovered in archives, family stories and lived experiences reveal new perspectives on exemption. Black, White and Exempt describes the resourcefulness of those who sought exemption to obtain freedom from hardship and oppressive regulation of their lives as Aboriginal Australians. It celebrates their resilience and explores how they negotiated exemption to protect their families and increase opportunities for them. The book also charts exemptees who struggled to advance Aboriginal rights, resist state control and abolish the exemption system.
'Contributions by Lucinda Aberdeen, Katherine Ellinghaus, Ashlen Francisco, Jessica Horton, Karen Hughes, Jennifer Jones, Beth Marsden, John Maynard, Kella Robinson, Leonie Stevens and Judi Wickes.' (Publication summary)
Contents
- Introduction : Histories and Lived Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Exemption in Australia, single work essay
- Exemption : The Official and Unofficial Impact, single work autobiography
- The Poisoned Chalice: Exemption Policies in Twentieth Century Australia and the Writing of 'History', single work autobiography
- Creating the Space for Exemption in New South Wales, single work autobiography
- 'Playing the Game': Aboriginal Exemption in Queensland and New South Wales, single work autobiography
- 'I Intend to Go off the Board's Hands Altogether', single work autobiography
- Destination of Pupil 'Unknown' : Indigenous Mobility Between Schools in Victoria and New South Wales, single work autobiography
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
[Review] Black, White and Exempt: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lives under Exemption
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Historical Studies , vol. 53 no. 2 2022; (p. 355-356)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography'Black, White and Exempt is an edited collection of insightful and innovative chapters, examining an underexplored aspect of the system that controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for much of the twentieth century. Beginning with Queensland in 1897, state-based Protection regimes introduced exemption clauses into the Acts which enabled segregation and micro-management of Indigenous life. Under these clauses, Indigenous people could appeal to authorities to obtain a formal legal status which, in theory, allowed them to escape from racist prohibitions on access to public spaces and citizenship rights.' (Introduction)
-
Introduction : Histories and Lived Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Exemption in Australia
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: Black, White and Exempt 2021; -
Review : Black, White and Exempt: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lives under Exemption
2021
single work
review
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues , December vol. 24 no. 3 - 4 2021; (p. 53-56)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography 'The origin of this collection was a symposium held in October 2018 at the Shepparton campus of La Trobe University, Australia, entitled Rethinking and Researching 20`1? Century Aboriginal Exemption in Australia. Led by Aunty Kella Robinson and Aunty Judi Wickes and convened by Lucinda Aberdeen and Jennifer Jones. the symposium was the first serious examination of the multifaceted and often fraught issue of exemption certificates that in some jurisdictions removed Aboriginal people from liability under the various state and territory Aboriginal protection legislation. Particular attention was given to the cultural sensitivities involved and to the potential to engage younger people in what to many was an unknown legacy. (Introduction)
-
Repercussions of 'Exemption'
2021
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 24 March no. 747 2021; (p. 19) 'BLACK, White and Exempt is a collection of stories that tell of the difficult choices and the impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives under exemption policies. imposed by state governments on Indigenous people during the 20th century.' -
‘I Intend to Do for Myself’ Examining Indigenous Lives under Exemption
2021
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , June no. 432 2021; (p. 10)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography'In the process of British colonisation, Aboriginal people lost their country, kin, culture, and languages. They also lost their freedom. Governed after 1901 by different state and territory laws, Aboriginal peoples were subject to the direction of Chief Protectors and Protection Boards, and were told where they could live, travel, and seek employment, and whom they might marry. They were also subject to the forced removal of their children by state authorities. Exemption certificates promised family safety, dignity, a choice of work, a passport to travel, and freedom. Too often, in practice, exemption also meant enhanced surveillance, family breakup, and new forms of racial discrimination and social segregation.' (Introduction)
-
‘I Intend to Do for Myself’ Examining Indigenous Lives under Exemption
2021
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , June no. 432 2021; (p. 10)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography'In the process of British colonisation, Aboriginal people lost their country, kin, culture, and languages. They also lost their freedom. Governed after 1901 by different state and territory laws, Aboriginal peoples were subject to the direction of Chief Protectors and Protection Boards, and were told where they could live, travel, and seek employment, and whom they might marry. They were also subject to the forced removal of their children by state authorities. Exemption certificates promised family safety, dignity, a choice of work, a passport to travel, and freedom. Too often, in practice, exemption also meant enhanced surveillance, family breakup, and new forms of racial discrimination and social segregation.' (Introduction)
-
Review : Black, White and Exempt: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lives under Exemption
2021
single work
review
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues , December vol. 24 no. 3 - 4 2021; (p. 53-56)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography 'The origin of this collection was a symposium held in October 2018 at the Shepparton campus of La Trobe University, Australia, entitled Rethinking and Researching 20`1? Century Aboriginal Exemption in Australia. Led by Aunty Kella Robinson and Aunty Judi Wickes and convened by Lucinda Aberdeen and Jennifer Jones. the symposium was the first serious examination of the multifaceted and often fraught issue of exemption certificates that in some jurisdictions removed Aboriginal people from liability under the various state and territory Aboriginal protection legislation. Particular attention was given to the cultural sensitivities involved and to the potential to engage younger people in what to many was an unknown legacy. (Introduction)
-
[Review] Black, White and Exempt: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lives under Exemption
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Historical Studies , vol. 53 no. 2 2022; (p. 355-356)
— Review of Black, White and Exempt 2021 anthology autobiography'Black, White and Exempt is an edited collection of insightful and innovative chapters, examining an underexplored aspect of the system that controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for much of the twentieth century. Beginning with Queensland in 1897, state-based Protection regimes introduced exemption clauses into the Acts which enabled segregation and micro-management of Indigenous life. Under these clauses, Indigenous people could appeal to authorities to obtain a formal legal status which, in theory, allowed them to escape from racist prohibitions on access to public spaces and citizenship rights.' (Introduction)
-
Repercussions of 'Exemption'
2021
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 24 March no. 747 2021; (p. 19) 'BLACK, White and Exempt is a collection of stories that tell of the difficult choices and the impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives under exemption policies. imposed by state governments on Indigenous people during the 20th century.' -
Introduction : Histories and Lived Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Exemption in Australia
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: Black, White and Exempt 2021;
