Layer

NameProtests and Rights - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
DescriptionSome important people and events in the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protest, activism, justice and rights. This isn't a complete list but is a good place to start.
TypeEvent
Content WarningThis layer contains names of people who have passed.
ContributorDan Price
Entries10
Allow ANPS? No
Added to System2022-09-10 22:03:50
Updated in System2022-09-10 22:20:21
Subject history, protest, rights, activism
CreatorDan Price
Publisher
Contacttlcmap@newcastle.edu.au
Citation
DOI
Source URL
Linkback
Date From
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Date Created (externally)

Aboriginal Votes

Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-35.305812
Longitude
149.122873
Start Date
1962-05-21
End Date
1962-05-21

Description

On 21 May 1962, the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 granted all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the option to vote in federal elections. (Source: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/indigenous-australians-right-to-vote)

Extended Data

place
Canberra, ACT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb34c
Linkback
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/indigenous-australians-right-to-vote
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Referendum (1967)

Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-35.305812
Longitude
149.122873
Start Date
1967-05-27
End Date
1967-05-27

Description

Question 2 of the Australian referendum (27 May 1967) asked the following: "Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the People of the Aboriginal Race in any State and so that Aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the Population'?" The proposed law would make it possible to create laws regarding Aborginal people and include Aboriginal people in national censuses. The referendum turnout was over 90% and the result was a majority 'Yes' vote. (Source: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2017/May/The_1967_Referendum)

Extended Data

place
Canberra, ACT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb34d
Linkback
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2017/May/The_1967_Referendum
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-35.305812
Longitude
149.122873
Start Date
1994-01-01
End Date
1994-01-01

Description

The Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) was passed in 1993 and "...recognises the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters according to their traditional laws and customs." (Source: https://nativetitle.org.au/learn/native-title-and-pbcs/native-title-rights-and-interests)

Extended Data

place
Canberra, ACT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb34e
Linkback
https://nativetitle.org.au/learn/native-title-and-pbcs/native-title-rights-and-interests
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Freedom Ride

Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.639843
Longitude
146.151245
Start Date
1965-02-12
End Date
1965-02-26

Description

A group of University of Sydney students created Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) in 1964 and organised a bus tour in February 1965, which visited several NSW towns. This was done to draw public attention to the discrimination and disadvantages faced by Aboriginal people. "The Freedom Ride, as it came to be called, included visits to Walgett, Gulargambone, Kempsey, Bowraville and Moree." (Source: https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/features/indigenous-rights/civil-rights/freedom-ride)

Extended Data

place
New South Wales (Western and Coastal Towns)

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb34f
Linkback
https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/features/indigenous-rights/civil-rights/freedom-ride
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Tent Embassy

Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-35.302273
Longitude
149.129734
Start Date
1972-01-26
End Date
1972-01-26

Description

In protest against the McMahon government's treatment of Indigenous land rights, four Indigenous men placed an umbrella on the lawns opposite Parliament House and declared it the Aboriginal Embassy. This occurred on 26 January 1972, however it was permanently established on the lawns at Parliament House in 1992. (Source: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/aboriginal-tent-embassy)

Extended Data

place
Canberra, ACT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb350
Linkback
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/aboriginal-tent-embassy
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-9.916841
Longitude
144.050881
Start Date
1992-06-03
End Date
1992-06-03

Description

The Mabo Case brought about the introduction of native title law in Australia, as this case found that the people of Mer Island were entitled as against the whole world to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of (most of) the lands of the Murray Islands." The case moved from the Queensland Supreme Court to the High Court of Australia over a period of 10 years, before being won by the Meriam people on 3 June 1992. (Source: https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/australian-history/mabo-native-title/)

Extended Data

place
Mer Island, QLD

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb351
Linkback
https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/australian-history/mabo-native-title/
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-25.344338
Longitude
131.036888
Start Date
1985-10-26
End Date
1985-10-26

Description

On 26 October 1985, the Hawke government gave back "the title deeds for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Anangu people." The park is jointly managed by the traditional owners and the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. (Source: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/uluru-handback-anangu)

Extended Data

place
Uluru, NT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb352
Linkback
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/uluru-handback-anangu
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-20.743245
Longitude
119.375642
Start Date
1946-05-01
End Date
1946-05-01

Description

This strike took place on 1 May 1946 and was a protest for better pay and living conditions, carried out by 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers from 27 Western Australian stations. It was the first strike organised by Aboriginal people since colonisation and it was also the longest strike to ever take place in Australia, lasting until 1949. (Source: https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/1946-pilbara-strike-australias-longest-strike)

Extended Data

place
Pilbara Region, WA (Twelve Mile and Moolyella)

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb353
Linkback
https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/1946-pilbara-strike-australias-longest-strike
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-17.433313
Longitude
130.833344
Start Date
1966-08-23
End Date
1966-08-23

Description

Strike action was taken on 23 August 1966 at Wave Hill Station, NT. This strike was carried out by "200 Gurindji stockmen, domestic workers and their families." This strike lead to a portion of the Gurindji homelands being returned to the Gurindji people in 1974. (Source: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/wave-hill-walk-off)

Extended Data

place
Wave Hill Station, NT

Sources

TLCMap ID
tb354
Linkback
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/wave-hill-walk-off)
Created At
2022-09-10 22:04:14
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:14

Details

Latitude
-33.866916
Longitude
151.208289
Start Date
1938-01-26
End Date
1938-01-26

Description

On 26 January 1938 (the 150th anniversary of British colonisation), approx. 100 Aboriginal people gathered in Sydney in a protest event called the Day of Mourning and Protest. The protest was intended to raise awareness of Indigenous issues to non-Indigenous Australians. The organisers of the protest stated: "...the 26th of January, 1938 is not a day of rejoicing for Australia's Aborigines; it is a day of mourning. This festival of 150 years of so-called 'progress' in Australia commemorates also 150 years of misery and degradation imposed upon the original native inhabitants by the white invaders of this country." (Source: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/day_of_mourning_1938#:~:text=the%2026th%20of%20January%2C%201938,white%20invaders%20of%20this%20country.)

Extended Data

place
Sydney, NSW
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