A Native Institution was established by the colonial government in 1834. Its purpose was to teach English to local Aboriginal people and instruct them in living in a settled colony. The Superintendent was Francis Armstrong, who was the ‘native interpreter’ for the colony. The institution closed in 1838 and a steam mill was built in the site.
The original objects of the Mount Eliza Native Institution were: ‘to afford protection to the natives from violence, whether from each other or from white people, medical aid in time of sickness, and a regular supply of food ensured by cautious guidance, and a provident superintendence.’ The work of the superindendent and the roles and responsibilities of the colonial authorities and the Aboriginal people who were to use the institution were published in Perth in the local newspaper on 13 December 1834. It was stated that the Government, in establishing the institution, was motivated to ‘do the natives a good’. As the Aboriginal people were free to come and go, it is quite likely that children lived there at times.
From
1834
To
1838
Alternative Names
Native Institution
Mount Eliza Bay Institution
1834 - 1838
Native Institution, Mount Eliza (1834 - 1838) was run by the government at the foot of Mount Eliza, Perth, Western Australia (Building Demolished)