Correspondence AP Elkin, Sandra Le Brun Holmes, Cecil Holmes and Others

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Language: Tiwi; Yolngu; Dhangu; Dhuwaya; Nhangu; Manangkarri; Jawoyn; Ngandi; Ngalakgan; Marrgu; Mawng

Places: Yirrkala; Darwin; Roper River; Croker Island

This item comprises mostly correspondence with Sandra and Cecil Holmes, some correspondence from Rev GJ Symons of the Methodist Church in Darwin and from KG Thiele of the Yirrkala Mission at Darwin. Also included are miscellaneous folios such as newspaper clippings and photographs.

Topics include bark paintings for Australian Museum; concern about the way Mrs Bennetts was dealing with Aboriginal people in regard to artefacts and ceremonial items; AIAS and funding; Spence museum and collection of Aboriginal artefacts and the role of AIAS and Fred McCarthy in acquiring the collection; Port Hedland sacred wooden and stone objects; missions, labour conditions and rationing, social problems, the role of welfare, Umbakumba, Roper mission; mining companies; art dealers; Holmes' interest in working with Aboriginal people in art business, role of missions, marketing of Aboriginal art; Rights Council, Church Missionary Society; Wondjuk's letters; recordings of Mumuna songs at Roper & of Kunapipi, and Yabuduruwa (21/5/66); Lorrkon (Gunwingu) ceremony at Croker Island planned for end of June (21/5/66); fossilised footprints at Queensland Crossing near Roper Bar which includes a photograph of the footprint by Sandra Berndt; and the filming of Kunapipi.

Also included are newspaper clippings from The News for October 1964 on meetings of the Northern Territory Council for Aboriginal Rights, and the role of NT Welfare. This bundle also contains an undated letter to Elkin from Keith Thiele of the Yirrkala Mission enclosing two photos of Yirrkala artists preparing paintings for the Sydney University Fisher Library. [These images are not in the folder on 7/4/2016, KB and could be in Series 739]