My name is Waipuldanya, or Wadjiri-Wadjiri. (If they twist your tongue too much you may call me Phillip Roberts. That is my white-feller name)
I'm a full-blood aboriginal of the Alawa tribe at Roper River in the Northern Territory,
My body has been subjected to many taboos. As a child I was "sung"to death by a Malevolent Doctor Blackfellow, a Medicine Man who wished to destroy me in order to punish my clan. I was saved by another. I have worshipped Kunapipi, the earth Mother in our pagan ceremonies. I believe in the Rainbow Serpent. I have also worshipped and believed in the Lord God, and been confused by this conflict in religions.
In my youth, I was taught to track and hunt wild animals, to be self-reliant in living off the land, to provide for my family with the aid only of my spears and woomeras. I married a tribal woman who was chosen for my by my uncle, because he was the man who grew-me-up and that was the law. We have six daughters.
My life changed dramatically in 1953, on a day at Roper river when a white doctor chose me as his driver and orderly. Since then I have treated white men and black men with medicines taken from herbs, much as our own primitive concoctions wer made. But in spite of my knowledge, my recently acquired citizenship, and my sophistication, I am still and always shall be an aboriginal. I have a duty to the tribe. Douglas Lockwood wrote this book about my life. He is my countryman. This is my story. Enjoy it ... and understand us better.