Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this thread contains pictures and names of people who have passed away.
National Reconciliation Week is this week and the theme is, "Now More Than Ever" which is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue. We all have the opportunity to make an impact, leave the world a better place than we found it, and play a part in creating a better future. The theme is a call to action that encourages everyone to advocate for reconciliation in our everyday lives.
So, in the spirit of legacy, I want to share some stories about people who stood up and contributed to reconciliation. We can all learn something from the bravery and leadership shown by these role models.
Charles Perkins and the Freedom Riders
Charles Perkins was an Arrente and Kalkadoon man who profoundly impacted future generations. One of his most notable achievements was leading the Freedom Rides in 1965, which saw First Nations and Non-Indigenous students from Sydney Uni, hungry for change, coming together to travel through regional New South Wales to protest against the discrimination and segregation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This demonstration of the unity of young people working towards a better world reminds me that we all have a part to play in reconciliation. It shows us that when we work together, there's nothing we can't achieve.
The Freedom Riders gained a lot of media attention during their protest. They helped influence public opinion during the 1967 referendum to remove discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the constitution. Before then, First Nations people were considered flora and fauna – which is hard to imagine today, but the truth is our grandparents and parents were alive during this sad chapter in our history.
Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji people
Vincent Lingiari was a Gurindji man and land rights activist who led his community in a strike against inhumane living and working conditions, unpaid wages and child labour. He demanded their right to land ownership, known as the Wave Hill Walk-Off. He set off on an eight-year battle and fought tirelessly.
His hard work led to a historic agreement between the Gurindji people and the Australian government, which recognised their traditional land rights. This story is beautifully told in the song "From Little Things Big Things Grow" by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly. National Reconciliation Week Choir are asking the community to come together and submit a video of themselves singing along. If you're interested, read more here.
A moving part of the song is when they tell the story of Gough Whitlam coming to return the land to the Guringji people, where he poured sand through Vincents' hands. And that leads me to our next role model.
Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam was an Australian Prime Minister who passed the historic act of returning land to traditional owners. He believed in self-determination, which meant giving First Nations people greater control over their lives and communities.
He said this to Vincent Lingiari when he returned the land to the Gurindji people.
"Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people, and I put into your hands part of the earth itself as a sign that this land will be the possession of you and your children forever,"
Eddie Mabo
Eddie Koiki Mabo was a Meriam man from the Torres Strait Islands famous for his crucial role in the Mabo case. Eddie was seeking official recognition of his people's ownership of Mer. After a ten-year-long legal battle, the High Court of Australia agreed, and this decision overturned the British claim that Australia was terra-nullius (land belonging to no one). Following this decision, the Native Title Act 1993 was established, which allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands.
Eddie Mabo and his supporters pushed on despite many challenges and setbacks and ensured their voices were heard. What an incredible man and legacy.
It doesn't matter who you are – a uni student, community leader or the prime minister of Australia. All our voices are important and Now More Than ever we all need reconciliation.
So, what can you do? We want to hear from you!
Share your ideas about how we can create a better future together, and if you're stuck, here are some resources to get you thinking.
