Massacre at Tennant Creek

Date: 1 Jan 1917 – 31 Dec 1917
Place: Tennant Creek
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
Read and Read (1991, pp 5-7) relate the story of Fred Booth Minmienadji who was in a droving party that arbitrarily shot "wild blackfeller" at night. Speaking about how many he'd personally shot, he said "half a hundred". An unnamed policeman ordered a "big fire". About 15 bodies were destroyed "in the fire". This event is recorded as occurring "south of Tennant Creek" in about 1917 when many white men were away during World War I.

Headon (1988, p 35-36) noted Minmienadji saying: "The wild blackfeller. Oh, shot him, half a hundred. Just about night-time, one bastard run away. I shot him on the leg, fall arse over head. 'Where's some blackfeller?' old sergeant said. 'I shot one feller over here, crawl about on his knee. I must have broken his knee.' 'Oh, good. Where's 'nother fellers?' 'I shot him in the bloody head. Oh, he's in the creek, I think.'"
Notes:
CorroborationRating: **
LanguageGroup: Warlpiri, Warumungu
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 50

People involved

This data has not yet been gathered. Research work is ongoing. To help, please consider donating or contact us to volunteer or about setting up research projects in your area.

Sources

  • Read and Read, 1991, pp 5-7; Headon, 1988, pp 35-36.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Tennant Creek
    1 Jan 1917 – 31 Dec 1917 — Tennant Creek — massacre
    Read and Read (1991, pp 5-7) relate the story of Fred Booth Minmienadji who was in a droving party that arbitrarily shot "wild blackfeller" at night. Speaking about how many he'd personally shot, he said "half a hundred". An unnamed policeman ordered a "big fire". About 15 bodies were destroyed "in the fire". This event is recorded as occurring "south of Tennant Creek" in about 1917 when many white men were away during World War I.

    Headon (1988, p 35-36) noted Minmienadji saying: "The wild blackfeller. Oh, shot him, half a hundred. Just about night-time, one bastard run away. I shot him on the leg, fall arse over head. 'Where's some blackfeller?' old sergeant said. 'I shot one feller over here, crawl about on his knee. I must have broken his knee.' 'Oh, good. Where's 'nother fellers?' 'I shot him in the bloody head. Oh, he's in the creek, I think.'"
    Source: Read and Read, 1991, pp 5-7; Headon, 1988, pp 35-36.