Andrew McMillan (1) (1957–2012)

While slightly dated now, "An Intruder's Guide to East Arnhem Land" is still considered by people in the know as essential reading for anyone looking to understand The Yolngu and Anindilyakwa peoples, the traditional owners of East Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt.

The first chapter or so sees the author, a "Balanda" (white person) writing about his interactions with the Yolngu and made me fear the book would be a 300-page tome on how the author is great friends with famous musicians and is accepted into Yolngu culture. Fortunately the focus switches to the (vivid) history of Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt and the Yolngu and Anindilyakwa contact with visitors, from the Macassan trepang traders to the Europeans and the Japanese fisherman.

McMillan is confident that the Yolngu will keep their culture alive despite the encroaching facets of western civilisation but not so about the Anindilyakwa, which is odd as my own observations see that the Anindilyakwa are also successfully fighting back and reclaiming their culture.

Finally, there are some odd typos that have snuck into the text which always frustrate the keen reader. However, I would still recommend this book to anyone seeking greater knowledge of how some proud nations are dealing with all pervasive western culture.… (altro)