First Nations Pearl Divers

From the 1860s in Australia’s northwest, First Nations people were forced into the brutal work of diving for pearl shell. This map only represents a very small fraction of these people. It is based on 1881-1883 archives listing so-called work ‘agreements’ made with 1250 pearl divers. A far greater number of people were never recorded in the archives. Names are as recorded by colonists and may be inaccurate. Locations are approximate and indicate where ‘agreements’ were made.

Visitors are advised these records include the names of First Nations people who have passed away.