A New South Wales national park is set to be renamed after a request from Indigenous communities.
Ben Boyd National Park, on the state's far south coast, was named for a Scottish landowner who was involved with the historical practice of "blackbirding", which involved the coercion of people - typically Pacific Islanders and Indigenous Australians - through deception or kidnapping to work as slaves or poorly paid labourers.
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean said it was time to acknowledge the "real history" of Boyd.
READ MORE: Handcuffed man escapes police custody in South Australia
"It is clear from the expert historical analysis, that Ben Boyd's association with 'blackbirding' should not be reflected or celebrated in any way in our National Parks," he said.
"There are many people from NSW's early history who are worth remembering and celebrating but it is clear from this historical analysis that Ben Boyd is not one of them."
The park is set to be renamed in the language of the traditional custodians.
READ MORE: Biden-Xi set virtual summit for Monday to discuss tensions
"By re-naming the park, we not only celebrate ancient Aboriginal culture but also recognise its importance to Aboriginal people in recent history," Mr Kean said.
The next step will be to work with elders and Aboriginal community representatives to identify a new name for the park.
Consultation on a new name is expected to start in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Care package dropped to Perth family stranded in Simpson Desert
Last year, the NSW government engaged independent historian Dr Mark Dunn to provide a report on the history of Ben Boyd on the NSW South Coast.
Dr Dunn's report confirmed Ben Boyd's involvement in "blackbirding" was viewed by many at the time as a form of slavery.
Boyd arrived in New South Wales in 1842, and became one of the largest landholders in the colony.
He was killed in a skirmish in the Solomon Islands in 1851, after being taken captive.
from 9News https://ift.tt/3Cc7CFS
via IFTTT
0 Comments