Indigenous History The Lake St. Clair region’s first human inhabitants were Tasmanian Aborigines from the Big River Tribe.

Tasmanian Aborigines have their own distinct languages, and the landscape bears the names given by generations from long ago. Lake St.Clair is no exception… Using NJB Plomley’s book ‘Tasmanian Aboriginal Place Names’, find the Indigenous name for Lake St. Clair and four other significant sites from nearby. How well can you pronounce these names?

This is a map of the tribal boundaries of the Tasmanian Aboriginals. Mark the position of Lake St.Clair and discover the Big River Tribe’s traditional lands. (N.B. Before providing students with map ensure labels are removed!)

As with later European Settlers, the Lake St As with later European Settlers, the Lake St.Clair region was not usually a permanent home for members of the Big River Tribe… On your maps - can you mark a seasonal land route that the Big River Tribes may have taken to the East Coast from the Lake St. Clair region every year? Use a topographical map to help. What obstacles may they have encountered on the way? And how long do you think this would take? Remember to highlight possible major landmarks and points for food, water, shelter and hunting etc.

These two primary sources are interpretations of Tasmanian Aboriginal life from the perspective of early colonial painters. They are scenes set within the Big River tribal lands. Examine the following scenes. Was life hard for the Big River Tribes? What do you think were their main concerns when they camped around the Lake St. Clair region in particular?