Murri (people)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Murri are the indigenous Australians that traditionally occupied most of modern-day Queensland. The term is sometimes erroneously used for populations from other parts of Australia. They are a collection of tribes and extended family groups throughout the region (such as the Yugarabul, the Jagara peoples from Coorparoo, and the Kwiambal peoples from further south). Aboriginal communities from other regions of Australia include Koori, Anangu, Noongar, Nunga.

When European colonists arrived, the Murri population was decimated, both by open conflict and by disease. ^{[citation needed]} Many Murri were forcibly removed from their land, and placed on reserves with other tribes with whom their relations may not have been friendly. From 1900 until 1972, a substantial number of Murri children became part of the Stolen Generation: they were removed from their parents and given to white parents for adoption.

The situation of the Murri people has improved over recent decades, they were given suffrage in 1965, along with free access to Musgrave Park; they now own and operate the Murri radio network; and Murri courts were established in 2002. These more traditional courts have proven more effective for Murri criminals than western court systems, with far fewer reoffenders. ^{[citation needed]}