Conflict over Aboriginal place names threatens dual naming process, Michael Mansell says

A prominent Indigenous leader says conflict over Aboriginal place names is threatening to derail the whole dual naming process.

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CONFLICT over Aboriginal place names is threatening to derail the whole dual naming process and putting the community off-side, a prominent Indigenous leader says.

The state government will soon consider whether to approve 18 proposed Aboriginal dual names and name changes, including for the Tasman Peninsula and Eaglehawk Neck, after the submission process was opened up to regional community groups.

Previously the government worked with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre on dual naming based on palawa kani, which has been developed by the TAC from remnant knowledge of original Tasmanian languages.

The 14 official dual names adopted under that process include kunanyi/Mount Wellington, kanamaluka/River Tamar, truwana/Cape Barren Island and wukalina/Mount William.

For the first time dual naming proposals have been submitted by other Aboriginal organisations and these will be considered by Primary Industries Guy Barnett early in the new year.

TAC secretary Michael Mansell said it had become a “triple naming process” and put at risk the community goodwill that existed for names such as kunanyi.

Michael Mansell. Picture: Richard Jupe

TAC chief executive Heather Sculthorpe said the new submissions did not represent the “original and authentic sounds” of the Aboriginal place names.

“The TAC has carried out very extensive consultation with the Aboriginal community since the 1990s. This examination included linguistic analysis and detailed research into all historical sources,” Ms Sculthorpe said.

“There is no evidence that any of that thoroughness applies to any of the place names now proposed to the minister.”

Peter MacDonald from the Parrdarrama Pungenna Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) said the dual names proposed by his organisation — Teralina for Eaglehawk Neck and Turrakana for the Tasman Peninsula — were authentic, having been used consistently and passed down.

“It is authentic. We know where we come from, we know the history and we’ve looked at what documentary evidence there is,” Mr MacDonald said.

“We don’t have meanings for them, they are just place names. The main thing is there’s a recognition that there’s a history prior to European settlement. Our ancestors were living here and they were dispossessed by the Europeans.”

Although the TAC has removed itself from the revised dual naming process in protest, Mr Mansell said it was time to rethink the name of the town of Port Arthur, which honours George Arthur, governor of Van Diemen’s Land during the Black War.

“He was responsible for the black line, trying to cleanse the state of the original people and when that didn’t work he employed Robinson with a group of armed men with the sole purpose of putting the original people in exile,” Mr Mansell said.

“There was a benevolent side to him, but that didn’t excuse his conduct and the choices he made.”

ABORIGINAL NAMES BID

Kaninerwidic: pronounced “Ka nina widic” (Aboriginal name for the inner island of The Doughboys)

Karrernootong: “Kara nu tong” (Aboriginal name for the outer island of The Doughboys)

Kennaook: “Ken nah ook” (Aboriginal dual name with Cape Grim)

Koindrim: “Koin drim” (Aboriginal dual name with The Doughboys)

Tademer: “Tard ah ma” (Aboriginal dual name with titima/Trefoil Island)

Taneneryouer: “Tarn nena oower” (Aboriginal dual name with Suicide Bay)

Temdudheker: “Tem u hakar” (Aboriginal dual name with Woolnorth Point)

Teralina: “Tera leena” (Aboriginal dual name with Eaglehawk Neck)

Tur rakana: “Turu kunna” (Aboriginal dual name with Tasman Peninsula)

Konewongener: “Kgona wongk una” (Aboriginal dual name with Mount Horror

Leengtenner: “Lein g tena” (Aboriginal dual name with Tomahawk River)

Luemerrernanner: “Lu ah merer nana” (Aboriginal dual name with Cape Portland)

Polelewawta: “Poh ele wa u ta” (Aboriginal dual name with Little Forester River)

Poonerluttener: “Puna lu tena” (Aboriginal dual name with Mount Cameron)

Tangumronener: “Tahn gum rowun ee na” (Aboriginal dual name with Eddystone Point)

Tangumrounpeender: “Tahn gum rowun peen da” (Aboriginal dual name with Waterhouse Point)

Tebrakunna: “Teh bpra kg oona” (Aboriginal name for an area in the vicinity of Cape Portland)

Worekarlenner: “Wora kg lena” (Aboriginal dual name with wukalina/Mount William)