Murri

From Freepedia

The Murri are the indigenous Australians of Queensland in particular, although the term is also erroneously used for populations from other parts of Australia. They were a collection of tribes and extended family groups throughout the region (such as the Yugarabul, the Jagara peoples from Coorparoo, and the Kwiambal peoples from further south). Other terms preferred by Aboriginal communities in other regions of Australia are Koori, Anangu, Noongar, Nunga.

When European colonists arrived, the Murri population was decimated, both by open conflict and by disease. Many Murri were forcibly removed from their land, and placed on reserves with other tribes with whom their relations may not have been friendly. From 1900 until 1972, a substantial number of Murri children became part of the Stolen Generation: they were removed from their parents and given to white parents for adoption.

Many Murri live in the area surrounding the city of Brisbane, which is surrounded by four streets called the "Boundary Streets"; until 1965, Murri were forbidden to cross those streets, and thereby enter the city, after 6pm. This had the effect of blocking them from Musgrave Park, located at the city's center; Musgrave Park has been a sacred Murri gathering place for centuries.

The situation of the Murri people has improved over recent decades, they were given suffrage in 1965, along with free access to Musgrave Park; they now own and operate the Murri radio network; and Murri courts were established in 2002. These more traditional courts have proven more effective for Murri criminals than western court systems, with far fewer reoffenders.