The 'Murri' are the
indigenous Australians that traditionally occupied most of modern-day
Queensland. The term is sometimes erroneously used for populations from other parts of Australia. They are 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). Aboriginal communities from other regions of Australia include
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 [1]
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.
References
1. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/special/rsjproject/rsjlibrary/hreoc/stolen/stolen11.html