Aboriginal+Resistance+Leaders

__ Pemulwuy __ Pemulwuy was the leader of local tribe called the Bidjigal that resided near Botany Bay. After an aboriginal man speared Governor Phillip’s gamekeeper, the governor ordered two military expeditions to make an example of the Bidjigal tribe. After having two men shot and many women taken prisoner, Pemulwuy persuaded other leaders to take the fight to the settlers. He led 100 men against various settlements such as Parramatta. During one battle he was shot 7 times and taken into hospital. Even with such serious injuries and the fact he was bound in leg irons, he successfully escaped from the hospital, earning himself a supernatural reputation as a bird that could fly away from battle. On November 22nd 1801, Governor Phillip ordered Pemulwuy to be brought in dead or alive. In 1802, British sailor Henry Hacking shot and killed Pemulwuy, his body was taken by the British and his head was taken back to Britain in the interest of scientific research. Pemulwuy’s attacks had lasted from 1790 till 1802, with him killing 17 settlers. Although Pemulwuy was condemned by the governor, his bravery was well respected.

__ Musquito __ Musquito was a bush ranger based in Van Diemens Land, born in Sydney Cove he was transported to Van Diemens land for the murder of his own wife. He was eventually released and employed as an Aboriginal Tracker; some people even said he increased his wages by pimping aboriginal women to white men. After while he eventually fled to the bush where he organized a gang of Aborigines who would rob and murder white settlers while stealing from their farmland. He was eventually captured by a fellow Aboriginal tracker named Tegg. He was then convicted of the murder of a ranch hand. He was sentenced to death by hanging at the Old Hobart Gaol on the 25th February 1825. __ Windradyne __ Windradyne was a warrior and resistance leader of the Wiradjuri nation, which was based in now central-western New South Wales. He was also known to the British Settlers as Saturday. During the Bathurst Wars, he led his resistance movement against the settlers in response to their invasion of the land. In May 1824 many Wiradjuri people were murdered by Settlers, Windradyne responded by leading a group in revenge against the settlers with permission from the elders, where settler Samuel Terry was killed. After many Wiradjuri warriors were killed, a peace was arranged with the Governor, officially ending hostilities between the Wiradjuri and the settlers. Windradyne died after returning to his home, his injuries however became fatal and he was given a traditional funeral on sacred land. __ Yagan __ Yagan was another aboriginal resistance leader responsible for the deaths of many settlers. In 1829 when settlers arrived in the area, there were no tensions between the two groups as there was no major need for resources. Eventually conflict began to increase and more of the local tribes were fenced off and denied access to their land. Yagan eventually lead the first resistance movement against the British and he was declared an outlaw and a reward for his capture was announced. He avoided capture until 1832 until he was captured by three fishermen who had lured him into their boat. He was sentenced to death by saved by Robert Lyon who suggested that Yagan be treated. He was exiled on Carnac Island where he was to be taught the ways of the British. Yagan and some others eventually escaped in an unattended boat. Yagan was responsible for many more incidents. On the 11th of July in 1833, Yagan met with two men he had met before, the men suggested to Yagan that they hide with him. During the night in which Yagan was sleeping, one of the men betrayed and shot him, his body was taken by the British and his head was sent to Britain for research

-Mitch W