Why Warriors Let Themselves Die

Why Warriors Let They Die is a must-read book for those interested in Aboriginal people.

“Reading Why Warriors Die gave me great insight into the challenges I would face, an understanding of the history of my Yolngu patients, and an idea of what I should expect of them. I recommend this book to every doctor who comes to work with us for the first time. I find that for those seeking to work well with the Yolngu, while respecting their customs and traditions, reading this book is essential.”
Dr. Marco Briceno Director of Medical Services, Gove District Hospital

This book allows those who want to better understand the problems that can be encountered on the path to true reconciliation to penetrate to the heart of the situation. It offers hope, and a new way of thinking, to those seeking to understand why “the problems” seem to persist in Aboriginal communities. In Arnhem Land, as in many Aboriginal communities in Australia, the situation is desperate. The health of the indigenous people is poor, it is very difficult to establish training, education and employment programs, and the incarceration rate is very high.

Ten years after the introduction of the “Close the Gaps” program, the situation has hardly changed. Why Warriors Let They Die offers a new analysis of this crisis and provides examples to demonstrate how Aboriginal people can once again take responsibility for their own existence. To discover the true causes of the current situation, the reader must examine it from the other side of the cultural/linguistic divide – from the Yolngu side. Why warriors let themselves die brings us there. This book, where the author blends critical and exploratory thinking, a deep understanding of Yolngu culture, personal experiences and a moving narrative, is on curriculum at universities and schools across Australia.

Book written in English by: Richard Trudgen 2000. Translated into French 2021 .