Uncle Henry Atkinson

Uncle Henry Atkinson is a Wolithiga man. Born in Echuca, his father was born in 1891 and his mother around 1928. Uncle Henry describes the conditions at missions, including the Black Plague, stolen wages and the walk-off at Cummeragunja mission, when people were treated so badly they left and walked as far as Mathoura, Deniliquin, Echuca, Moama and Mooroopna. He describes children later being taken away from their parents, never to see each other again. He remembers segregated classrooms and Aboriginal children not being allowed to play sport or speak language. Uncle Henry also describes his battles to return ancestral remains, the need for housing and the importance of looking after younger generations coming through. Over his life Uncle Henry has gone on to be a champion fireman, General Manager at General Electrics and a Monash University Professor, starting Aboriginal studies courses.