The name is absent

176

12.3 The Law

One result of the keeping of the Law is order, the building of
a stable social structure. The Law today is made by the people for
the people. It is not merely a ritually preserved tradition, but a
modern day interpretation of the past, giving meaning to a changed
present. Adaptation of the Law is essential for the social
construction of identity.

12.31 Adaptation of the Law

Adaptations can be seen in the application of the Law. In the
times of starvation following the walk off from stations many died.
Those aspects of the Law which militated against the survival of the
people were subsequently abandoned (e.g. tribal punishments or
practices which might lead to death) ɪ.

The men made the following statements to Commissioner Bruce

Debelle of the Law Reform Commission:

They told him that Whitefellars should not mess about
with Aboriginal law and change it just to suit the
whitefella. They told him that the old law for spearing
people had been banned by the group since 1946 and how
they talk to people who are going against the marrngu
way. They showed the Commission how strong the Law is
in this place. How the marrngu way of dealing with such
things as marriages, children's upbringing and deaths is
still right for the people and should be left alone by
the whitefella. They told him about how the people have
changed the Aboriginal Law to help run the stations and
develop their economic life. How these changes are made
by the people and not outsiders (Mikurrunya, 6.4.81:3).

The leaders in the Law at Strelley are conscious of their
4-

responsibility to and for other Aboriginal people. In September 1979

Aboriginal people gathered at Strelley from thousands of miles

¹Taped interview.

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