For Who I Am - Bonita Mabo (Everyday Brave)
Many people know of Bonita Mabo, widow of Eddie Mabo, and the native title claim they successfully fought on behalf of his Torres Strait Islander people. Little has been said, however, about the quiet yet strong-willed woman who stood with her husband throughout the long years of struggle, or about...
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| Format: | Streaming video |
| Language: | Undetermined |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia,
2002.
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| Online Access: | A Kanopy streaming video Cover Image |
| Summary: | Many people know of Bonita Mabo, widow of Eddie Mabo, and the native title claim they successfully fought on behalf of his Torres Strait Islander people. Little has been said, however, about the quiet yet strong-willed woman who stood with her husband throughout the long years of struggle, or about her own sacrifices and causes. From the 1960s, Bonita and Eddie worked together in various Indigenous organisations and at the Black Community School in Townsville. Bonita would join Eddie at meetings around the country as often as she could - the organisations would fly Eddie to the meeting but Bonita would have a long ride on a bus. All the while, she raised their ten children, much of the time single-handedly. The historic High Court decision holds bittersweet memories for Bonita. Tragically, Eddie had died five months before. Bonita was desperate to be at the Canberra ruling in his place but couldn't raise the money for the trip - despite her appeals to various Indigenous organisations. Although the family triumphed, Bonita was deeply hurt by the lack of financial support. The loss of her husband marked a new phase in Bonita's life. She began a campaign of her own - to bring recognition to her people, Australia's South Sea Islanders. While her children were growing up, Bonita's heritage was not a part of the family's traditions and identity. Her kids were raised as Torres Strait Islanders but now she's proudly sharing her culture with her grandchildren and the wider public. Bonita's grandmother was from the Aboriginal community on Palm Island. Her grandfather was a Kanaka from Tanna Island, near Vanuatu - stolen, like thousands of others, to provide cheap labour for Queensland's sugar cane farms. Bonita herself grew up in a tight-knit South Sea Islander community near Townsville. She remembers an idyllic, gently paced life, centred around the church, and dreams of the day when she can finally visit her relatives in their South Sea Island home. In the meantime, Bonita's schedule is hectic. Even though she suffers from diabetes and is battling to keep her eyesight, she works with numerous South Sea Islander and Aboriginal organisations and is co-writing a book. "The white man," she says, "can't tell our stories about our people. We black people, we've got to get out there and do it ourselves." A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with CAAMA Productions. Produced with the support of the National Council for the Centenary of Federation and the Australia Council. Produced in association with the Pacific Film and Television Commission and SBS Independent. Copyright - 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Executive Producer: Mark Hamlyn Producer: Priscilla Collins Director: Danielle Maclean Writer: Danielle Maclean DOP/Cinematographer: Murray Lui Narrator/Presenter: Nancia Guivarra Featured People: Bonita Mabo. |
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| Item Description: | Title from title frames. In Process Record. |
| Physical Description: | 1 streaming video file (26 min.) |
| Playing Time: | 00:26:00 |
| Format: | Mode of access: World Wide Web. |