Comment on Yagan saga

27/8/97

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Kim Hames said today he felt great sadness over the saga of Yagan.

"Over the years, Yagan has become a symbol for Western Australian Aboriginal people, particularly those in the South-West, and his importance in the reconciliation process cannot be discounted," Dr Hames said.

He said he sincerely hoped Mr Corrie Bodney would lend his support to the mission to bring home the head of the early Aboriginal warrior.

"Nobody is denying Mr Bodney's ancestral claim - in fact it makes his role a vital one in ongoing negotiations," the Minister said.

"Only he can now assure the quest's success."

Dr Hames said he believed the influence exerted by Yagan reached beyond direct descendants to a wider audience.

"By all accounts, Yagan was a remarkable man and most South-West Aboriginal people would like to see his head returned to WA and interred with the rest of his remains in a dignified manner according to Aboriginal traditions," he said.

"Yagan provides a golden opportunity for unity and a major step forward along the road to healing old rifts between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people."

Media contact: Caroline Lacy (08) 9424 7450