The Book
The Video
We can learn much from the Aboriginal people and Aboriginal Elder, Banjo Clarke, whom Camilla Chance writes about in her award-winning book, “Wisdom Man”, which also received “Honorable Mention” at the London Book Festival.
The book was on the best-seller list in Australia, and an Australian documentary made about it was nominated for a Humanitarian Award. Author Camilla Chance became the first non-Aboriginal to receive the prestigious Unsung Hero Aboriginal Award for her dedication and work for the Aboriginal people. In addition, the book won the USABookNews.com award for Best Multicultural work.
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Like the white culture in the United States that enslaved, colonized and controlled black men and women, so we have the story of Banjo Clarke, Aboriginal Elder, whose culture in Australia was endangered with extinction by the white man. What we find in each of their histories is that it takes a few generations to bring some sense into the powers that be to accept all colors and cultures and learn from them, not destroy them. Banjo, a symbol of kindness and compassion, showed how to not give up on humanity. In this book he teaches us all how to be kind to one another and accept people for who they are, not what color they are. Camilla Chance became close friends with Banjo Clarke approximately thirty years ago. Trust grew to where he and his family gave permission to tape Banjo as he talked about the history of his life and his country and all that he had gone through, with the hopes that these tapes would be written into a book to share with the world. As a result, Camilla Chance has written this amazing book about an amazing man, Banjo Clarke, “Wisdom Man.” This man was a witness to decades of discrimination. He endured hardships, yet as he says in the book about hatred and anger: “Them things leave you in a flash if you see someone destitute or crying out for help.” He also came to accept that part of life was being lied about, but he found a way around that one too: “If you meet everybody openly, expecting to be friends for life, you’re stronger than all the liars — easy.”

An amazing Aboriginal Elder, Banjo tells of traditions like caring for the land, taking only what you need, sharing with others and a deep psychic connection to one’s Elders.
Once published, the story became an Australian best-seller entitled, “Wisdom Man Banjo Clarke as told to Camilla Chance”. The book is now in its second edition from Penguin-Random House.
Banjo lived from 1922-2000 and his funeral was the largest of any ever held in Warrnambool and district, Australia.