Ernabella, South Australia - History

History

Ernabella has been an Aboriginal community for a long time. It was established as a Presbyterian mission in 1938. The principles for the establishment of the mission at that time were:

Dr. Charles Duguid, the advocate for the establishment of Ernabella laid down the following principles:

There was to be no compulsion nor imposition of our way of life on the Aborigines, nor deliberate interference with tribal custom ... only people trained in some particular skill should be on the mission staff, and ... they must learn the tribal language.

Anangu people started gradually to come in from traditional life in the desert to live at the Mission after its establishment. The mission respected Anangu culture and traditions and offered medical help and education, with no conditions attached.

Responsibility for the administration of Ernabella Mission was formally handed over to the Ernabella Community Council — later Pukatja Community Council — on 1 January 1974.

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