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Assimilation Policy of 1937
The Commonwealth and States agree that the process of assimilation be adopted. The destiny of the (half caste) natives lies ‘In their absorption into the white community'. The era of assimilation continued until the mid 1960's. -
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Struggle for Indigenous Rights and Freedoms
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Freedom Ride
In February 1965 a group of University of Sydney students organised a bus tour of western and coastal New South Wales towns. The students planned to draw public attention to the poor state of Aboriginal health, education and housing. They hoped to point out and help to lessen the socially discriminatory barriers which existed between Aboriginal and white residents. -
referendum
On 27 May 1967 a Federal referendum was held. The first question, referred to as the 'nexus question' was an attempt to alter the balance of numbers in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The second question was to determine whether two references in the Australian Constitution, which discriminated against Aboriginal people, should be removed. This fact sheet addresses the second question. -
The Racial Discrimination Act
The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 makes racial discrimination illegal. It aims to ensure everyone is treated equally, regardless of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. By the end of the 20th century more than 10,500 complaints are received, including 3500 from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 4000 from people from non-English speaking backgrounds. -
Bicentenary protest march
On 26 January 1988, more than 40,000 people, including Aborigines from across the country and non-Indigenous supporters, staged what was the largest march in Sydney since the Vietnam moratorium. The protesters marched through Sydney chanting for land rights. The march ended at Hyde Park where several prominent Aboriginal leaders and activists spoke -
Tent Embassy Established
Indigenous elders invited all the Aboriginal people, supportive and other members of the public to come together at a site known as the 'Aboriginal Tent Embassy' site.On the 26th of January 2010 everyone came together to celebrate "sovereignty day" this was part of the Sacred Fire Ceremonial Gathering that would mark 40 years since the first protest on the site. Sovereignty issues were further discussed by the Federation of Aboriginal Sovereign Nations. -
Aboriginal people are excluded from the census
The Australian Census of Population and Housing is a national source of statistical information that can answer questions at local levels about changes over time in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. It is one of the most widely used sources of information for the planning and funding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific services. -
Day of Mourning
The twenty-sixth of January 2013 marks the day, 75 years ago, when an important National Aboriginal civil-rights gathering, the Day of Mourning, took place at Australian Hall, Sydney
