Yagan's Statue

Values

The place has aesthetic and historic significance as a powerful statue representing the history of the original inhabitants of the Swan River area.

The place has associations with Yagan, a tribal leader who defended his lands against the Europeans and was later captured and killed.

The place has associations with the campaign led by local Swan River Aboriginal groups for the return of Yagan’s head from England.

The place has rarity value as a site recognising the life and battles of Yagan as well as the history of armed conflict between Aboriginal people and Europeans as a result of the displacement of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands.

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic and historic significance as a powerful statue representing the history of the original inhabitants of the Swan River area. • The place has associations with Yagan, a tribal leader who defended his lands against the Europeans and was later captured and killed. • The place has associations with the campaign led by local Swan River Aboriginal groups for the return of Yagan’s head from England. • The place has rarity value as a site recognising the life and battles of Yagan as well as the history of armed conflict between Aboriginal people and Europeans as a result of the displacement of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands.

Physical Description

A bronze statue of Aboriginal leader Yagan set on rough hewn stone. A plaque with an inscription describes commemorates the event of the statue’s unveiling.

History

Yagan was the son of Midgegooroo, leader of the tribal group who occupied the land known as ‘Beelier’, which was to the south of the Swan and Canning Rivers. Yagan and a group of followers defended their tribal area from the Europeans up to 1932 at which time they were captured and imprisoned on Carnac Island. Yagan and another warrior later escaped from the Island. Yagan was shot in the back while sharring a meal with the Keats brothers, who were actually bounty hunters who lured the pair with offers of friendship. Yagan’s head was removed and put through a preservation process, eventually ending up in England were it was displayed for some time before going to the Liverpool Museum. In 1984, a bronze statue to commemorate the life of Yagan was unveiled on Heirisson Island. Since this time, the statue has been vandalised on at least two occasions by the removal or destruction of the head of the statue. At both times this was repaired. One of these times occurred at a time when an Aboriginal delegation was in England petitioning the Homes Office for the return of Yagan’s head. This eventually occurred in 1997/1998 after a lengthy and emotional campaign. Heirisson Island – Reclamation works were carried out to the Heirisson Islands in 1903 by the PWD. At this time, the two islands were consolidated into one and two channels created on either side of the island; the south one being navigable. In the 1920s and 1930s, further work was done to the island in the form of reshaping and raising.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- High Authenticity- Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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