24
Issue no. 47 / May 2022
NANCIA GUIVARRA, ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF MABO With the 30th anniversary of the Mabo decision, we asked former journalist and Meriam (Magaram), Wuthathi and Bindal Juru woman, Nancia Jacqueline Guivarra, for her personal reflections on the event. In her own words, she describes her visits to Mer, her family’s connection to the Mabo decision, and the legacy it still holds today. Above: Reveal of Koiki Mabo’s tombstone on Mer with Greg McIntyre and the Mabo family. Photo: Nancia Guivarra
I have four First Nations lineages; from Murray Island, Meriam (Magaram clan), from my paternal grandfather, Wuthathi and Malay from my paternal grandmother. On my mother’s side, both Bindal Juri and Gangalu from my maternal grandmother and Wakka Wakka from my maternal grandfather. However, my upbringing was dominated by my father’s Meriam family and culture. My Meriam roots descend from my great great-great grandmother a woman named Su (Tabo) of the Magaram clan. Su Tabo had two children, Annie Pitt and Robert Pitt to Douglas Pitt Snr, a Jamaican man who is famous for bringing the Coming of the Light to Darnley Island in 1871. Annie Pitt was born on Mer and her father Douglas married her off to Pedro Guivarra, a Spanish Filipino boat captain. They were the grandparents of my grandfather Walter Guivarra Snr.
