Howard Pedersen – Honour and Reflection  
(Stephen Kinnane and Edie Wright) 

Magabala Books, along with hundreds of friends and community members across the Kimberley are deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of author, raconteur, trusted Kimberley ally and collaborator, Howard Pedersen.   

Howard Pedersen and Banjo Woorunmurra co-authored the iconic and critically acclaimed Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance (1995, 2011, 2016) - winner of the Western Australian Premiers Award for Historical and Critical Studies (1996).  Howard first became aware of Jandamarra’s resistance as a student, writing against the grain of historical complacency of the time which painted Jandamarra as ‘Pigeon The Outlaw.’ [1]  Howard’s reading of Jandamarra was as ‘an Australian Aboriginal rebel.’ [2]  As part of his early studies in social and political history, Howard made his way to the Kimberley in 1977. His first visit was for six weeks in Fitzroy Crossing. He described the Kimberley in the 1970s as existing in a state of ‘social turmoil of an epic scale.’ [3] It was while co-authoring Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance that Howard’s connection and acceptance into Fitzroy Valley families was cemented. This honour is not given lightly to a Katiya. 

He quickly established friendships and allegiances with Kimberley Aboriginal Elders, emerging leaders and a cohort of Kimberley Katiyas (allies), as part of a network of burgeoning Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. It was through his work for the Kimberley Land Council, in particular, that Howard developed life-long friendships and a work approach grounded in Aboriginal witness accounts, oral history and cultural knowledge shared by Elders such as Banjo Woorunmurra. Howard held a deep respect for the uniqueness of Kimberley cross cultural relationships, underpinned by Aboriginal cultural authority, and an absolute love for the beauty of Kimberley Country.  Howard consistently questioned the dominant paradigm of colonial and neo-colonial development and was known for his efforts to ‘change the paradigm,’ [4] constantly working to identify opportunities to develop a ‘different vision for the Kimberley.’ [5] For Howard that vision was dynamic, relational and Kimberley owned – ‘a development paradigm for the Kimberley region where Aboriginal culture could flourish and co-exist with western economic development.’ [6] He fiercely advocated for the enshrinement of the Voice to Parliament as he truly honoured the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He felt the deep pain of First Nations people when it did not succeed. 

Howard’s historian’s eye, love of narrative and sharing a good story is legendary.  His generosity of spirit, willingness to spend time, to answer any questions, be part of problem solving at the community and broader regional level, and his insatiable curiosity was and remains well known and highly regarded. Howard possessed an incredible memory for people, places, events and more importantly, an analytical mind that was respected and valued.  His intellect was regularly put to good use in addressing the challenges being grappled with by key Aboriginal leaders, across many decades. To say he was good at disseminating information is an understatement. If you wanted a wider group of people to know something – you told Howard.  He WAS the bush telegraph embodied. His massive network crossed social, cultural and political spheres, but he was also discrete, diplomatic and nuanced.  

Howard’s self-appraisal was always humble, generalised and never egotistical. And yet he traversed many different roles and sectors; political philosopher, collaborator, organiser and generator of ideas; driver of forums and campaigns for Aboriginal organisations and leaders; advisor to governments (state and federal) and policy boundary rider - bridging silos and drawing together people on-Country. Howard sought to forge new partnerships and challenge the status quo. He was a mentor to up-and-coming advocates for social change, writers and scholars - through to his final role as Professor of Practice with the First Nations Portfolio at the Australian National University. Kimberley friends and colleagues remember Howard best for his warmth, humour, deep resonant voice and as a genuine listener. 
 
Magabala’s thoughts and deepest condolences are with Howard’s children, Jane, and Sam, his son-in-law, Lenny, his close friends, Peter Yu, Pat Lowe and June Oscar, and with the huge mob of Kimberley people who knew him and will miss him dearly. Howard was Kimberley claimed, Kimberley owned, and now Kimberley honoured. He will always have a special place in the hearts of Kimberley families who will remember him as the historian who told the true story of Jandamarra, a Bunuba hero.  

[1] Idriess, Ion. Outlaws of the Leopolds. Sydney, 1952 (exemplified this narrative)..
[2] Pedersen, H. (1984) 'Pigeon': an Australian Aboriginal Rebel,' Studies in Western Australian History pp.7-15.
(published from Howard’s Honour’s Thesis:
Pederson, H. (1980) 'Pigeon: an Aboriginal rebel: a study of Aboriginal-English conflict in the West Kimberley, north Western Australia during the 1890s'. BA honours thesis, Murdoch University).
[3] Pedersen, H.,’ The Kimberley: The Vision Floundered,’ Barrgana Lecture, July 2009, University of Notre Dame, Broome. 
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6]  Ibid.