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The First Fleet Colonises Indigenous Australia
The First Fleet arrives in Botany Bay, Australia, and thus indicating a very significant time period for Australia. Prior to such event, Australia had only been exposed to the ownership of Indigenous Australians. This is the first interaction between Aboriginals and British Settlers. Due to such foreign contact, Aboriginals and their livelihood are jeopardised due to exposure of unnatural behaviour and lifestyle. Many Aboriginal men are in turn captured and removed of several prior possessions. -
Aboriginals Are Dispossessed Of Their Land
British colonists spread across the country and native Australians are dispossessed of their land. Their ownership is ignored and instead British domination is recognised. Particularly due to both nationalities never having met before and having drastically different lifestyles, the Aboriginals are seen as inferior in contrast to the flourishing colonists. -
The First Ever Recorded Battle Between Indigenous Australians And British
Aboriginals are forced to defend their land in the ‘Richmond Hill Battle’ against the British. This is the first ever serious battle between the Indigenous Australians and the invading colonists. As the name suggests, the battle occurred on Richmond Hill between the native Darug people and the British Settlers who were exploring the area.It was the first time the colonial authorities sent in their troops with the intent of removing all Aboriginal population within the area. -
The Beginning Of Aboriginal Resistance To White Settlement
This marks the beginning of the six year period of resistance of Aboriginals in regards to white settlement. This occurred in the Hawkesbury and Parramatta areas and is referred to as the ‘Black Wars’. It resulted from retaliation against the British who were exterminating the Aboriginals from their land. -
Tasmania Is Colonised By White Settlers
The British colonists occupy Tasmania which in turn starts the ‘Black Wars of Tasmania’. The fighting lasts until 1830 with drastic loss of lives mainly to the Aboriginal Australians. The white settlers had aimed to take over Tasmania much like they had occupied Australia yet like their prior encounters, the Aboriginals were fighting back. The British were still very unfamiliar with Indigenous Australians and thus such violent conflict was a starting point on issues between the two cultures. -
Aboriginals Moved To Mission Stations and Policy of Absorption
The British settlers force Aboriginals to relocate into ‘mission stations’ in which they are taught European beliefs and culture and used for cheap labour. These stations were intentioned to benefit the British. Many were government foreseen whilst other stations were being run by active churches. The Policy of Absorption is additionally introduced with the intention of having the British nature ‘absorb’ into Aboriginal culture and for the Aboriginals to lose their dominance in society. -
The Native Institution
Australian Governor Macquarie establishes the Parramatta Native Institution for Aboriginal children. The main objective from this institution was to teach, train and christianise Aboriginal children the British ways of life and essentially assimilate them into colonial society. The institution was shut down a decade later for being too expensive and not meeting expectations however the children that were sent there left altered to suit the white lifestyle. -
The Commonwealth Of Australia Is Formed
Australia becomes a federation under a new constitution in January 1901. This constitution was passed by the British government and allowed the six Australian colonies to govern their own right. The Commonwealth of Australia is formed as a constitutional monarchy. Aboriginals are excluded from the government under the new 'White Australia' policy and are denied the right to vote, pension, post office employment, Army enlistment and maternity allowance. -
The Aborigines Act
The Aborigines Act is established to make provision for the better protection and care of the Aboriginal inhabitants of Western Australia. It was in charge of and essentially governed Aboriginal Australians in Western Australia for 60 years. The ACT created the position of Chief Protector of Aborigines who became the legal guardian of all Indigenous children to the age of 16. This gave authorities the permission to ‘send and detain’ such Aboriginal children in different institutions and in work. -
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The Stolen Generations
This time period is referred to as ‘The Stolen Generations’. Indigenous children are forcibly removed from their families and their homes due to newly enforced government policy of ‘Assimilation’. This policy was based on white superiority and black inferiority and supported the idea of natural elimination of the coloured race. The children taken from their families were forced to forget their old culture and language and adapt to white upbringing. Most children never saw their families again. -
'Day Of Mourning' Protest
Aboriginals attempt the first ever major protest whilst demanding equal voting rights. It follows years of Aboriginal campaigning for Aboriginal participation in parliament and the government. The protest was held by the Aborigines League. This is the first time Aboriginals are recognised under civil rights. -
The United Declaration of Human Rights Is Established
Following the events of the war and the creation of the United Nations, the Declaration of Human Rights is established outlining the expected standard of living and humanity for any location within the world. The Declaration is an essential agreement of minimal requirements of human life and how the government and society should be acting. It was designed to not only improve life but to maintain a positive pathway. -
United Declaration Of Human Rights Is Established
Following the events of the war and the creation of the United Nations, the Declaration of Human Rights is established outlining the expected standard of living and humanity for any location within the world. The Declaration is an essential agreement of minimal requirements of human life and how the government and society should be acting. It was designed to not only improve life but to maintain a positive pathway. -
The Australian Citizenship Act
The Australian Citizenship Act is passed which correspondingly allows Indigenous Australians to vote in Commonwealth elections as long as they are enrolled for State Elections or have severed in the Australian Army Forces. -
NAIDOC Is Formed
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) is formed with support from both Federal and State Governments, churches and major organisations for the Indigenous people. Its aim is to promote ‘Aboriginal Sunday’ as being a time of cultural recognition in order to draw people together and to raise awareness about the Aboriginal people. By this time period, Aboriginals are obtaining more positive reactions from white-dominated Australia. -
The Federal Council For The Advancement Of Aborigines Begins Anti-Discrimination Campaign
The Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines initiates a ten-year campaign in order to end discrimination made by the Constitution towards Aboriginal people. -
The Commonwealth Electoral Act Is Amended
All Indigenous people are allowed to participate in voting after the Commonwealth Electoral Act is passed. This is an immense change in Aboriginal rights and participation within society. -
The NSW Freedom Rides
Aboriginal significant figure Charles Perkins leads many participants in the Freedom Rides protest inspired by America. This was done to draw attention towards racism in particular towns of Australia. It involved a bus tour of several towns in New South Wales to help lessen the discriminatory barriers in society. This was also utilised to allow other Aboriginals to see that fighting for your own right is a possibility. -
The Commonwealth Referendum Is Passed
A referendum is held in which 90.7% of Australians vote YES in order to count Indigenous Australians in the census and to give the Commonwealth the power to legislate for Aboriginal people in the states. Furthermore, this ends constitutional discrimination and the responsibility for Aboriginal Affairs is shared between state governments and the Federal Government. -
Neville Bonner Becomes The First Aboriginal Member Of Parliament
This time period is revolutionary for Aboriginal Australians as Neville Bonner, an Indigenous Australian is granted a position in the Federal Parliament. He is the first Aboriginal senator of Australia which correspondingly allows Indigenous Australians to be given much more of a say in society. -
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy Is Established
Aboriginal people instigate the ‘Tent Embassy’ outside of the Parliament House. Inspired by the Black Power Movement in the USA, the Aboriginals were very politically active. The Tent Embassy was a symbol of Aboriginal Protest against the successive government and their reactions towards Aboriginal issues. It is a semi-permanent assemblage at which activists attempt to represent the political rights of Indigenous Australians. It adopts the Indigenous Flag. -
The Racial Discrimination Act Is Passed
The Racial Discrimination Act is passed in order to promote equality before the law for all persons regardless of their race, colour, ethnicity or nationality. Furthermore this discrimination act makes any discrimination towards people due to their colour, race, descent or ethnic group unlawful. -
Uluru Is Returned To Aboriginals
Uluru is formally handed back to the traditional Indigenous owners following years of white domination. It is now regarded as a powerful landmark with national protection. Uluru has extreme cultural value to Aboriginal people of Australia and therefore their possession of such an attraction is highly commemorated. -
The Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody
The Royal Commission investigates the number of Aboriginal deaths in custody over a period of ten years giving over 350 recommendations. Several recommendations are still being implemented today however some are very ineffective. It was designed to study and report on the social, cultural and legal issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths and how it could be improved. -
The Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody
The Royal Commission investigates the number of Aboriginal deaths in custody over a period of ten years giving over 350 recommendations. Several recommendations are still being implemented today however some are very ineffective. It was designed to study and report on the social, cultural and legal issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths and how it could be improved. -
The Barunga Statement Is Presented To Australian Prime Minister
The ‘Barunga Statement’ created by Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people in order to demand rights is presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The statement is a painting symbolising Aboriginal culture and portraying ancestral Indigenous designs. It was intentioned to obtain attention from the Australian Government in recognition of rights and the negotiation of a treaty. -
The ATSIC Is Established
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) organisation is established. It was a Commonwealth statutory authority and the peak representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Through this organisation, Indigenous Australians had the opportunity to formally be involved with the government and the processes which were influencing their lives. It was responsible for administering several processes for Indigenous Australians. -
Council For Aboriginal Reconciliation Established
The Act of Parliament establishes a council for reconciliation towards Aboriginal Australians intended to have a 10 year life span. It is based on the appreciation of Indigenous culture and their achievements alongside the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the people of Australia. There is an ongoing focus towards the disadvantages towards the Torres Strait and Aboriginal people of Australia. -
The Eddie Mabo Case
The Eddie Mabo Case referring to the land rights of the Australian people is introduced. It recognised the land rights of the Meriam people, who were traditional owners of the land and challenged 2 perspectives within society. The first perspective assuming that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no concept of land ownership before British colonisation and that sovereignty delivered complete land ownership to the crown which accordingly abolished all prior rights before colonisation. -
The Eddie Mabo Case
The Eddie Mabo Case referring to the land rights of the Australian people is introduced. It recognised the land rights of the Meriam people, who were traditional owners of the land and challenged 2 perspectives within society. The first perspective assuming that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no concept of land ownership before British colonisation and that sovereignty delivered complete land ownership to the crown which accordingly abolished all prior rights before colonisation. -
International Year Of The World’s Indigenous People
The United Nations declare 1993 as the year of recognising the Indigenous people of the world. This was proclaimed in order to strengthen international cooperation in order to find solutions for problems based on Indigenous rights in communities all across the world. When such an internationally well-known organisation such as the UN participates in a civil rights movement, immense change can be seen in society, particularly in correspondence to Aboriginal Australians in the following years. -
The 'Bringing Them Home' Report Is Released
The report referring to the Stolen Generations ‘Bringing Them Home’ is released and proposes a national sorry day for the trauma which had occurred to the Aboriginal families. It provided insight on the damage that had been done during the Stolen Generations and also provided an idea of commemoration and forgiveness. -
National Sorry Day Is Celebrated For The First Time
On the 26 of May 1998, the first ever national sorry day is commemorated to acknowledge the children taken away from their families in the stolen generations. There were over 1 million signatures collected in sorry books. Australia unites together as one during a time of reconciliation. -
Kevin Rudd Apologises
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, formally apologises for the Stolen Generation on behalf of the Australian parliament. His speech is commemorated and remembered by many. It had the power to instigate a key aspect of Australian union and culture and portraying that such actions were unacceptable. This speech is one of the most important aspects of Indigenous history as it recognises the extremely unlawful and wrongful actions of the white population and unifies the nation once more. -
Australia Agrees With The UN Declaration
Australia finally agrees with the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights as opposed to the prior years in which the country had been one of few to deny such concepts. This portrays Australia’s full support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and allows the country to be welcoming to those who had been so badly mistreated previously. To this day, Australia is much more accepting and acknowledging for Indigenous Australians.
