This is an evocative retelling of the origin of the constellation of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) by renowned Aboriginal author and educator, May O’Brien, descended from the Wongutha people of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The story recounts how the Yayarrs, small men who walked the land and traversed the Milky Way, watched over Aboriginal people and had full reign over the region. The Seven Sisters come down from the starry skies to visit Earth, and catch the eye of the Yayarrs, who become intent on making them their wives. When one sister strays from the group, she narrowly escapes being taken by one of the Yayarrs. Returning to the plateau where they first landed, the sister is fearful that she has been abandoned only to eventually see and finally rejoin her sisters in the sky. As the story unfolds, O’Brien references various landmarks and landforms throughout the region that can still be seen today. Through this engaging retelling and Wyatt’s mixed media full-colour illustrations, children are introduced to Aboriginal Dreaming stories, traditional beliefs and the Wongutha language. A brief glossary and pronunciation guide is included.
May O’Brien (1933-2020) was a recipient of a British Empire Medal for her inspiring work as an educator, and was also the first Aboriginal woman in WA to earn a tertiary qualification in 1953. Susan Wyatt is a Wongai woman born in the Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
