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Dr Gwenda Baker

Research Fellow, Monash Indigenous Centre (MIC)

View contact details in Monash Staff Directory

Biography

My research specialty is Aboriginal contact history and the interactions between Aborigines, governments and missions. This study is located in Arnhem Land with the Indigenous residents on or around the old mission sites of the Methodist missions.  I have had a long association with the people at Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island (over 40 years). I now return on a regular basis to talk to people about stories of their past and their concerns for the future. My research interests include: Gender relations, Gender and Religion; Families and Yolngu value systems; Cross cultural intersections of religion; Aboriginal leadership and governance; Land Rights and mining in the Northern Territory. In articles and seminar papers I examine the intersections between Aboriginal religious beliefs and Christianity; the re-interpretation of missionary activity by Aboriginal leaders; relationships between Aboriginal women and women missionaries; the political activism of Aboriginal leaders; the effects of missionary and government interventions on Aboriginal family life and the fight for Land Rights.

In 2005 I was awarded a Northern Territory History Award for field work and archival research in the Northern Territory. In 2006 I resumed research trips to Galiwin'ku to collect stories of mission times. In 2010 I was awarded an AIATSIS Research Grant with Joanne Garngulkpuy to continue this work. We are using Garngulkpuy's Methodology for Yolngu Research which involves discussions with Yalu Centre members in a decision making process about the research. The Yalu Centre seeks to nurture children and encourages Yolngu ways of supporting families. We are collecting oral, pictorial and written histories of the settlement of Galiwin'ku for the children to learn about their past.

Qualifications

Ph.D. Monash University 2001 History
M.A. Monash University 1993 Women's Studies
Grad Dip Applied Science Chisholm 1990 Computing
B.Ed. Studies Monash University 1987
Grad Dip Teaching Gippsland Institute 1980
B.A. Monash University 1968

Theses

Baker, Gwenda I. 2001, ‘Chaos and Control: Aborigines, Missions and Government in Arnhem Land 1945-1975', Ph.D. Thesis Monash University.

Baker, Gwenda I. 1993, ‘Women Missionaries on Methodist Overseas Missions: Northern District Arnhem Land, 1950-1980', M.A. Thesis Monash University.

Publications

  • Journal of Northern Territory History, no.16, 2005: 17-28: ‘Crossing Boundaries: Negotiated Space and the Construction of Narratives of Missionary Incursion'.
  • Hecate St Lucia: 2007. Vol. 33: Issue 1: 193-216 ‘Only Teachers, Nurses and Wives: Women on Methodist Missions in Arnhem Land'.
  • 2010 Australian Historical Studies, 41, 3:302-318, ‘We just cry for our country: ‘The boycott" and the Goulburn Islanders'.
  • 2011 ANU E Journal, ‘Indigenous workers on Methodist missions in Arnhem Land: A skilled labour force lost'. (Forthcoming)

Conference and Seminar Papers

  • 2003 CAIS Seminar Series: ‘Chaos and Cosmos: Aboriginal Religion and Methodism in Arnhem Land'.
  • 2004 1st Biennial Trans Tasman Mission Conference, Canberra. ‘Only Teachers, Nurses and Wives', Women on Methodist Missions in Arnhem Land 1916-1970'.
  • 2007 CAIS Seminar Series: ‘The Boycott: Goulburn Islander Activists and the Missionaries'.
  • 2008 Negotiating the Sacred V: Governing the Family Conference, Monash University, ‘Divine Intervention: missions and the disruption of Aboriginal family life in Arnhem Land'.
  • 2009 Constructing the Past, AHA Conference, University of the Sunshine Coast, ‘Constructing the past: Mission Time: whose story: Balanda or Yolngu?'
  • 2009 Indigenous Participation in Australian Economies, National Museum of Australia, ‘From barter to award wages: Aboriginal labour and Methodist missions in Arnhem Land'.

Other Media

2008 Religion Report ABC Radio National Stephen Crittenden, August 20th
Podcast and Transcript
www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2008/2340864.htm

2009 National Museum of Australia
Audio on Demand
www.nma.gov.au/audio/detail/from-barter-to-award-wages-aboriginal-labour-and-methodist-missions-in-arnhem-land

Transcript
www.nma.gov.au/audio/transcripts/indig_part/NMA_Barter_to_award_wages_20091109.html