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Colonists
Yagan's tribe lived peacefully with the British living by the swan river. But arguments arose when the aborigines burned the land (as is tradition). -
Shooting
A Nyungar was shot for taking potatoes from a settlers garden. This was seen as theft to the colonist, but to the Nyungar it was seen as taking the land's resources. -
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Revenge
Yagan sought revenge for this killing. After more battles, a reward was offered for his head -
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Capture and Escape
When Yagan was finally captured, a European named Robert Lyon fought hard to spare his life. Yagan was exiled to a small rocky island, but escaped after six weeks. -
Consequences of Escape
The colonists were angry about Pagans escape, so as punishment, they killed Yagan’s father and brother, and increased the reward on his head. -
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Continued Resistance
For 12 months Yagan managed to avoid capture, continuing to fight for his people. -
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Death
Sometime between April and July 1833, Yagan approached two shepherds he knew, asking for flour. When his back was turned, one of them, William Keats, shot him. William was killed by an aboriginal force, and the bounty reward was given to his brother. -
Death Aftermath
Yagan’s head was sent to England in 1835. The hair was combed, and black and red cockatoo feathers were tied to the head as decoration. It was exhibited in Liverpool until 1964 when it was buried in Everton Cemetery. In 1997, almost 165 years after being sent to England, Yagan’s head was returned to Australia for a proper burial.