Mingli McGlade obituary: Warrior’s fight for rights began in class

Mingli was born in Gnowangerup on April 17, 1942, and was raised on country by her father Roderick McGlade and his mother Ethel Woyung McGlade, with her husband Jim McGlade. She was also the daughter of Ivy Woods, who lived at the Gnowangerup mission.

Her family avoided the welfare who removed many children and institutionalised them in cruel conditions. She grew up in Ongerup, Kendenup and Bremer Bay in Kurin lands, in the bush with few visitors.

At about 14 years of age, the Ongerup headmaster and the Native Welfare decided to send Mingli to Perth Girls School, which she graduated from in 1958 with a report from Native Welfare praising her successful achievement.

On leaving school she went to work at department store Harris, Scarfe & Sandovers, and trained in nursing at Graylands hospital. She was engaged to a young non-Aboriginal man, but his family objected and ended the engagement due to prejudice. She decided to leave Perth for the bright lights of Sydney, living with Europeans who accepted her.

On her return to Perth, she became part of a close-knit circle of Aboriginal people, mainly Noongars, who lived in the city. They met up at places such as the Aboriginal Advancement Council and with a growing awareness of Aboriginal people’s rights during this time. They also set up the Aboriginal Legal Service and Perth Aboriginal Medical Service, now known as Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, key organisations today.

At this time, the Mt Lawley College of Advanced Education (formerly the teachers college) initiated the Aboriginal teacher education program and Mingli enrolled and completed a diploma of teaching, majoring in drama. She was with the first class of Aboriginal teachers to graduate in the State, and having majored in drama later acted in a children’s theatre production called Honey Spot.

With her teaching qualification obtained in 1978, Mingli worked for the Guildford education centre, the Commonwealth Department of Education as an education officer, co-ordinator of the Aboriginal centre at Mt Lawley college and a research position with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Mingli always believed that education was the way forward for Aboriginal people as a form of empowerment to address history and mistreatment today.

Mingli also joined with other Noongar and Aboriginal people in protest at the WA Government’s failure to legislate Aboriginal land rights. She took part in the land rights movement marching the streets and calling for justice, at a time when racism was overt — especially in WA, a mining State. She frequently spoke to media, at protests and other events, and in 1996 ran in the Federal election as a candidate for the the Greens (WA).

History and the treatment of Aboriginal people was very important to Mingli, who wanted to teach non-Aboriginal people Aboriginal culture and improve race relations. She developed Karla, an educational program offered across schools that promoted two-way learning, and completed a postgraduate diploma in public history from Murdoch University in 1998. Later, as a student at Marr Mooditj college, she studied traditional medicine and made her own bush treatments.

Reflecting her standing as a senior woman, she was included in a delegation who travelled to London to retrieve the head (the kaart) of Noongar warrior Yagan

Living in the Kimberley in the early 80s, she was also inspired by Aboriginal women’s law and ceremony. Reflecting her standing as a senior woman, she was included in a delegation who travelled to London to retrieve the head (the kaart) of Noongar warrior Yagan led by Ken Colbung. She also travelled to Los Angeles to address exploitation of Aboriginal culture, meeting Steven Seagal, who supported their cause.

A founding member of the Rottnest Island Deaths Group, Mingli called for recognition of the true history of Rottnest Island, or Wadjemup, and protection for the unmarked graves of hundreds of Aboriginal men. She also camped a winter on MountsBay Road, protesting the development of the old Swan Brewery site at Goonininup, the resting place of the Wagyl, a creation figure.

Mingli was named as an applicant for the first Noongar native title claim, and a plaintiff in a groundbreaking Federal court case, McGlade v Native Title Registrar (2017) FCAFC 10.

Known as a Moorditj yorga, or strong woman, she stood up for people’s culture and rights, at a time when it was not easy. Her friend and fellow Noongar activist Clarrie Yaluritja Isaacs painted her portrait, held by the Berndt Museum, showing her in front of the lighthouse at Wadjemup with the black cockatoo feathers falling by her.

Mingli’s dedication to Aboriginal people and justice prevailed in her life, and she was respected as an elder in her later years. While her body grew weary, she remained steadfast in her love of life, always joining in on community events. She kept her head high, meeting difficult challenges with the positive attitude she held. Mingli also loved animals, and people remember her companion dog in her walker keeping her company.

Mingli passed on May 12 in Perth with her family, who knew her as a fiercely loving, loyal and joyful soul.

She is survived by many children and grandchildren who miss her dearly.

Mingli Wanjurri Nungala McGlade

Teacher

Born: Gnowangerup, 1942

Died: Perth, aged 84