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The Yirrkala bark petitions
The Yirrkala bark petitions of 1963 were the first documents by the Indigenous recognised by the Parliament. Many people say it was the start of the land rights movement for the Indigenous. The petition was signed by 17 Aboriginal leaders and was framed in painted bark, then sent to Canberra. -
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Wave Hill Walk-Off
Vincent Lingiari led 200 Aboriginal stockmen and their families walking off Wave Hill, demanding for better work conditions and pay, as well as the return of their land. They then stayed for a number of years at Wattie Creek. In 1975, Vincent was given back his land by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. -
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Gove Land Rights Case
In 1968, the Yolngu people challenged the Nabalco mining lease on the Gove Peninsula again in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. They didn't agree that mining was taking place on their land without their permission. In 1971, Justice Richard Blackburn announced that the Yolngu people were wrong and that it was fine for them to mine in the area. -
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy
After the Yolgnu people were rejected by Justice Richard Blackburn in the Supreme Court, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy was created outside Parliament House in Canberra on Australia Day by Aboriginal activists. Their tents were given great support by many people, and showed how much they believe in their views. -
Aboriginal Land Rights Act
After the failure of the Gove Lands Rights case, the Whitlam Labor Government followed the Woodward Commission, which then led to the Fraser Liberal government passing the Aboriginal Land Rights Act in 1976. This act allowed Aboriginals to be able to claim rights on their traditional land. -
The Mabo Case
Eddie Mabo and 4 other people of the Murray Islands began a claim in High Court. They believed Murray Island and its surrounding islands had not been fully extinguished by British occupation to continue enjoyment of their land rights, and wanted recognition from the Australian Legal System for these continuing rights. -
Eddie Mabo's death
Eddie Mabo died from cancer only 4 months before the final decision of the Mabo Case was made. He invested in his case for the last 10 years of his life. -
The Mabo Judgement
The High Court overturned terra nullius for the first time in Australian Law, supporting the Meriam people because they survived settlement. This action also recognised the many years that Aboriginals had been living in Australia. Piece by piece the government gave the land back to them. -
The Native Title Act
The Keating Labor Government decided to pass the Native Title Act after the Mabo Judgement the year before. This allowed massive recognition in the government and Federal Court for the Aboriginals, and allowed them more access to claim their land. Now today approximately 15 per cent of the country is claimed by Indigenous legally. -
Wik Judgement
The Wik People of Cape York in Queensland brought their disagreement of granting mining and pastoral leases over the land in 1993. After 3 years, it was decided that native rights could co-exist with pastoral leases, which cover around 40% of Australian land mass. They also decided that the pastoral lease would decide the rights if there was conflict.
