Keith Windschuttle and the Fabrication of Australian History: An Indigenous Tribute

The recent passing of historian Keith Windschuttle, best known for his ironically titled series “The Fabrication of Aboriginal History“,” has inspired many tributes – especially from Indigenous Australians.

But not exactly the kind he might have anticipated…

Because for someone who devoted decades attempting to disprove Aboriginal suffering with rigorous non-investigation, Windschuttle has left an indelible mark on history – mainly by trying to erase it.

Windschuttle proudly positioned himself as a “truth-seeker” battling the so-called exaggerations of Indigenous history, notably claiming that Aboriginal massacres were mostly myths invented by emotional historians.

And his dedication to cherry-picking evidence and his unwavering commitment to denial were admirable to those who prefer history books with less historical fact and more fantasy.

“We thank Keith” one Indigenous Elder quipped dryly… “for reminding us why oral storytelling remains superior to certain forms of written history – especially when that history is typed out by someone who thinks ‘research’ means avoiding anything inconvenient.”

Windschuttle’s work has indeed had an enduring impact.

Indigenous communities across Australia have affectionately included him in Dreamtime stories, symbolising him as a mischievous spirit who steals truth and replaces it with cleverly woven illusions – though in this case, Windschuttle’s illusions were arguably less clever and more obviously fabricated.

For all his fierce insistence that Aboriginal genocide and oppression were exaggerated, Windschuttle inadvertently became a strong advocate for Indigenous causes.

His attempt to silence Indigenous voices had the peculiar effect of amplifying them, drawing greater attention to the brutal realities he sought to diminish.

And one Indigenous commentator remarked: “We appreciate Keith’s sincere efforts to discredit us – nothing galvanises people to learn the truth like a badly told lie.”

Thus, to honour (the Great) Windschuttle’s legacy, several communities have jokingly proposed naming a new Indigenous Studies Centre after him… The proposed “Keith Windschuttle Institute for Imaginary History” would explore fiction as a literary art form and cautionary tale.

And so, while Keith Windschuttle may have left us, his unique approach to history – consisting largely of overlooking evidence and inventing new facts – will forever stand as a masterclass in how not to write history.

In his tireless quest to prove fabrication, Windschuttle inadvertently revealed a deeper truth: the resilience and dignity of Indigenous peoples always prevail against attempts at erasure, no matter how persistent or creative those attempts may be.

Vale Keith Windschuttle – your myth-making skills were truly legendary!