Rachel Perkins knew her family's history was confronting. But recently, she uncovered the full truth.

Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains confronting information and the names of deceased First Nations peoples.

When Indigenous filmmaker Rachel Perkins decided to uncover the truth behind Australia's history, she knew the revelations would be confronting. 

But she didn't expect just how emotional it would make her – because she didn't realise just how tied this history was to her own family.

Giving a voice to important stories has always been at the heart of Rachel's ambition. And unpacking the frontier wars is one such example – a story she has wanted to tell for a very long time.

The Australian Wars is a new three-part TV series on SBS directed and produced by Rachel, an Arrernte and Kalkadoon nations woman, that tells the story of Australia's longest and perhaps most defining war that has been kept silent – until now. 

Britain's claim to the Australian continent began as soon as the First Fleet landed in 1788 – marking the start of a painful history that disregards First Nations peoples' sovereignty. It is a time known as the frontier wars.

One such massacre that took place at this time is now referred to as 'Blackfellow's Bones' – the name itself painting a confronting yet accurate picture. 

Years before, Rachel had been told about the event via her father, the late Indigenous activist Charles Perkins. But she didn't realise the full extent until recently. 

As part of her new SBS series, Rachel returned home to Arrernte Country in the Northern Territory, to the location where the massacre took place. Because this event is where members of Rachel's own family were killed by colonists. 

Rachel's grandmother survived the massacre. Years later in the 1970s, the grandmother recounted her own mother's story. Miraculously, Rachel managed to gain access to the 1970s recorded testimony, and it shed light on the horrific violence her family had endured. 

"My great-grandmother was spared from the massacre [that killed much of her family] not because of compassionate reasons, but for another purpose," Rachel said.

"One policeman got hold of three or four young girls [Rachel's great-grandmother included] and put chains around their necks. And when he wanted, he would just use them, sexually. He let her [Rachel's great-grandmother] go after a time. The station owners did the same kind of thing."

Standing on Arrernte Country where the atrocities took place, Rachel said: "I admit that I actually didn't want to really make this documentary series because I knew that I'd have to spend years going through the horror of it. But in making this film has led me to this place – where many members of my family were killed."

It's just one example of how Rachel's ancestors were killed and affected by the frontier wars – because on both sides of her First Nations heritage there are victims of slaughtering. 

In Queensland alone, it's estimated 72,000 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed. 

"I'd never looked into this family history in detail, and it really forced me to go into it, to visit the place, find the recordings and uncover the truth," she said to Mamamia.

"I now feel very connected to that story. It's connected me to my history. As one of the people I interviewed for this documentary series said 'we're the children of survivors'. It's powerful."

Watch the trailer for The Australian Wars. Post continues below.

The documentary series isn't just specific to Rachel's ancestors, also detailing several other conflicts that occurred and the hatred shown towards First Nations peoples. 

Numerous Indigenous and non-Indigenous historians, cultural knowledge keepers and ancestors spoke to Rachel for the series, desperate to tell their stories.

As Rachel said, "they felt a real sense of satisfaction and being able to go on record."

Rachel feels we're now getting to the start of truth-telling. But there's a long way to go.

"I'm 52 years old and only in the last few years have I seen a difference – an enthusiasm from people I meet or see on social media wanting to know more. And I think that's a really good sign," Rachel said to Mamamia.

Currently, conversations surrounding colonialism and the British influence are rife. 

"The whole nation has been reflecting on our relationship with the crown, and for Indigenous people, I think that's been complex. I've even received hugely moving emails from people in tears after watching the first two parts of the series, saying their ancestors were killed as well. It's very fertile ground for this series to land at this time. It feels serendipitous."

And timely it is. Because a major feature of the documentary series was calling on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to add a permanent new fixture – acknowledging and recognising the frontier wars and all who died during these conflicts – both First Nations peoples and colonists. 

This week, the Australian War Memorial promised a "much broader, deeper" depiction of the frontier wars within its walls. 

The War Memorial chair Brendan Nelson, confirmed the Memorial's governing council had decided they would have a "much broader, a much deeper depiction and presentation of the violence committed against Indigenous people, initially by British, then by pastoralists, then by police, and then by Aboriginal militia".

It was a watershed moment for Rachel. And it was personal.

"It's just so wonderful, and a really mature and inclusive approach. It's not just a political statement or social change thing. It means something very personally to me to see not only my family but countless others recognised for what they endured," she said. 

"They deserve to have their stories told."

The Australian Wars is available to stream via SBS On Demand. The final part of the series airs on Wednesday 5 October at 7:30pm on SBS and NITV.

Feature Image: Supplied.