An examination of Aboriginal rock art in Yanyuwa country in the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria is the winner of the 2024 Chief Minister's Northern Territory History Book Award.
Jakarda Wuka (Too Many Stories): Narratives of Rock Art from Yanyuwa Country in Northern Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria by li-Yanyuwa li-Wirdiwalangu (Yanyuwa Elders), Liam M Brady, John Bradley, and Amanda Kearney was announced the winner of the $1000 prize money at an awards ceremony held in Parliament House, Darwin today.
The book is the culmination of more than 70 years of collaborative research by Yanyuwa Elders, an archaeologist and anthropologists that reveals ancient rock art as a dynamic social entity connected to ancestral journeys, ceremonies, health, identity, and narratives.
Two books from the shortlist were highly commended: Murli la: Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands by the Ngarukuruwala Women's Group with Genevieve Campbell; and Tiwi Story: Turning History Downside Up by Mavis Kerinaiua and Laura Rademaker.
Now in its 20th year, the Chief Minister's Northern Territory History Book Award, which is hosted by Library & Archives NT, recognises the most significant contribution to Northern Territory history published in the previous calendar year.
Other books on this year's shortlist were:
Connecting the North: From the diaries of the Overland Telegraph Expeditioners by Andrew Crouch;Darwin: Survival of a City, The 1890s by Derek Pugh; andOur Voices from the Heart by Professor Megan Davis and Patricia Anderson AO.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Eva Lawler:
"This award not only recognises outstanding historic research and writing, it fosters a deeper appreciation for the vibrant stories that make up the fabric of the Territory.
"Through these awards, we aim to amplify voices that often go unheard, shedding light on untold stories and marginalised perspectives.
"This award is a now a Northern Territory tradition that provides a platform for authors to contribute to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of our rich history."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
"The Chief Minister's Northern Territory History Book Award stands as a testament to our commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of Territory history.
"Through this award, we honour the authors whose works illuminate the diverse narratives that shape our past and inspire our future.
"The Territory Labor Government is proud to spearhead the search for the most compelling narratives of our region as part of our efforts to support the collection and preservation of the NT's valuable knowledge and unique history."
