Veins and Roots

by J. Watson

Each chapter focuses on a Chosen One. I've been adding new stories since 1/2017. Follow different Slayers such as the First Slayer, Buffy, Nikki Wood, Xin, Faith, Kendra, Dana, Chao-Ahn, Satsu, Kennedy, Vi, Rona and others (even the Scooby Gang) as they navigate the supernatural and normal world. The stories go in chronological order.

10. Yani: Stolen Generation

STOLEN GENERATION PROJECT: Case Study of Ruby Martin (March 4, 1980)

Subject: Ruby Martin's Aboriginal name is Wyuna. Surname unknown. She became a STOLEN CHILD in 1910 at the age of ten. She currently resides in a convalescent home.

Aboriginal Group: Djabugay People

Known Relatives: Before she was assimilated into a white community, Wyuna recollects living with her grandfather Colebee and older sister Yani. Although she spent a great portion of her life living outside of her native culture, Wyuna still has vivid memories of her childhood. She was especially close to Yani, especially since they lost their parents at an early age. There was an eight-year difference between the siblings.

Cultural Background: Due to her years of assimilation, Wyuna was unable to provide us with a clear insight into her people's cultural beliefs. She did, however, provide some curious details about her sister. Once, Colebee told Wyuna that Yani was guided by a spirit that possessed great power and agility. When Yani reached the age of sixteen, she used to disappear in the evenings (sometimes accompanied by Colebee) carrying boomerangs and a spear thrower. As Wyuna described, her sister was painted in a manner that was typical of male Aboriginal warriors. Wyuna did not know the nature of Yani's journeys, but remembers one morning when Yani returned home battered and bloodied. Her sister did not realize that Wyuna saw her condition. Wyuna convinced herself that it was a dream, for she saw Yani later in the afternoon looking normal.

Removal: An orphaned Wyuna was taken from the Great Dividing Range. It was recorded by the Australian authorities that Colebee and Yani had ventured into the Barron Gorge weeks earlier and had not returned. It is uncertain why Wyuna was abandoned by her relatives.

Conclusion: In her elder years, Wyuna learned from the STOLEN GENERATION PROJECT that Yani and Colebee did not survive their journey to the Barron Gorge. Two corpses were discovered shortly after Wyuna was taken. A female body, which was most likely Yani, was mauled. A male body, most likely Colebee, was found with defensive wounds to his arms. There is a strong indication that he was protecting his granddaughter, but the reason for the cause of death is unclear. Some of the Djabugay have attributed such deaths to mythological creatures such as the Mokoi, though legend has it that such evil spirits target either children or those they suspect of practicing black magic. Even though Wyuna's family members met tragedy, she is glad to know what became of them.