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Aboriginal Claim Citizen Rights
On Australia Day 1938, a meeting of Aboriginal people was held in Sydney. A document called 'Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights' was circulated. -
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WWII
Awareness of the second-class status of Indigenous Australians became even more obvious to the general public as a result of World War II (1939-1945). Many Aborigines served in the armed forces and thousands moved into the towns to work in the wartime industries. Many white Australians felt that if Aboriginals could fight and die for their country they deserved a fair go. -
Freedom Riders demand equal treatment
A group led by Aboriginals activists Charles Perkins made a bus tour through New South Wales. They protested about discrimination in shops, theatres, bars, clubs and swimming pools. -
Gurindji people demand a better deal.
200 workers walked off the Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory. They wanted better wages and conditions, and their traditional land back. The Gurindji eventually gained ownership of the area in 1985. -
White voters demand a better deal for first Australians
After a 90% 'yes' vote the government gave Indigenous Australians the right to vote and be counted in censuses, and ended the protection policies. -
Aboriginal tent embassy set up in Canberra
The Embassy said that the blacks were now going to get up and fight back on the issues of education, health, police victimisation, locking people up.
Bobby Sykes, Aboriginal activist -
Land rights to be granted to first Australians
A government commission recommended that Aboriginals should get back the land where they now lived and had traditionally lived. -
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March Across Sydney Harbour Bridge
In May 2000 250000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge and up to 400000 marched in Melbourne in December. Many marchers carried signs and banners critical of the Prime Minister's refusal to say 'Sorry' to Indigenous Australians for past wrongs. -
Apology to people who were removed from their families
The Northern Territory Government repeals its mandatory sentencing laws.
The Northern Territory Government presents a parliamentary motion of apology to people who were removed from their families. -
The federal government apologizes to the Aboriginal
The federal government publically apologizes to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia for the forced removals of their children throughout history.
Response to Government to the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by Tom Calma – 13 February 2008.