In today’s episode of Good on Wood we are joined by the prolific historian Dr. Bain Attwood in conversation about the life and legacy of William Cooper, an Aboriginal activist, Yorta Yorta elder, and his connections to broader themes of oppression, memory, and solidarity. The discussion highlights Cooper’s story, late life activism, his identification with biblical narratives, his profound understanding of suffering and the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities. It also explores the complex role of missionaries in Aboriginal lives, the ongoing fight for rights and land, and the cultural connections that shape Indigenous identity today.
Together we explore themes of emancipation, faith in leftist politics, and the political legacy of slavery as articulated by William Cooper and others. Along the way, we delve into the complex role of Christianity in Indigenous activism, examples of international solidarity, Cooper’s concept of “thinking-black,” the historical narratives that inform contemporary struggles for land and equality, and the absolute need to keep hope alive amid it all.
ABOUT DR. BAIN ATTWOOD
Bain Attwood is Emeritus Professor of History at Monash and has held fellowships at the University of Cambridge and Harvard University. His book Possession: Batman’s Treaty and the Matter of History won the 2010 Ernest Scott Prize for the most distinguished contribution to the history of Australia or New Zealand or colonial history. He is also the author of Rights for Aborigines, Telling the Truth about Aboriginal History, The Making of Native Title: Sovereignty, Property and Indigenous People, and William Cooper: An Aboriginal Life Story, and the co-editor of Telling Stories: Indigenous History and Memory in Australia and New Zealand and Protection and Empire: A Global History.
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This episode was edited and produced by Steve Schallert. Music provided by our own Steve Schallert, Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project, Priscilla Stanley, and Buhaminak.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to William Cooper’s Legacy
02:55 The Suffering and Resilience of Aboriginal Peoples
06:01 William Cooper: A Life in Context
08:53 Colonization and Its Impact on the Yorta Yorta
12:02 The Role of Missionaries in Aboriginal Lives
14:56 Christianity and Indigenous Identity
18:00 Emancipation and the Fight for Rights
21:09 The Complexity of Missionary Influence
24:00 Cultural Connections and Shared Struggles
27:05 The Legacy of William Cooper and His People
33:40 Emancipation and the Legacy of Slavery
34:54 Political Rights and Indigenous Identity
36:26 Petitioning as a Political Tool
38:36 Christianity and Indigenous Agency
41:28 Historical Narratives and Political Rights
42:55 The Significance of 1938 in Activism
46:18 Struggles for Land and Autonomy
51:25 Education and Equality in Activism
54:47 The Day of Mourning: A Protest Against Commemoration
64:10 Historical Perspectives on Aboriginal Suffering
69:16 Cultural Connections: Spirituals and Solidarity
72:14 William Cooper: A Voice Against Oppression
79:44 Memory and Identity: The Legacy of Cooper
90:04 Contemporary Reflections on Cooper’s Impact
