Timeline: Indigenous Rights Movement

1938

Day of Mourning held by the Aborigines League and the Aborigines Progressive Association

Day of Mourning held by the Aborigines League (est 1932) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (1937). It is the first major protest by Indigenous People. The manifesto "Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights" and the newspaper "Abo Call" are published.

1962

Indigenous People are given the right to vote

All Indigenous People are given the right to vote in Commonwealth elections

1967

Indigenous Australians are included in the census

Referendum held - 90.7% of Australians vote YES to count Indigenous Australians in the census and to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws for them.

1972

Tent Embassy established

Tent Embassy established outside Parliament House. It adopts the Indigenous flag

1975

Whitlam hands back title to Gurindji people

Whitlam hands back title to Gurindji people. Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) passed

1976

Land Rights Act

Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT)

1983

Land Rights Act recognises dispossession and displacement

Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises dispossession and displacement

1985

Uluru handed back

Uluru handed back to traditional owners

1992

Mabo overturns terra nullius

Mabo decision by the High Court overturns terra nullius and rules that native title exists over unalienated Crown Land, national parks and reserves.

1993

Native Title Act

1996

Court rules in Wik decision

The High Court rules in the Wik decision that native title and pastoral leases can co-exist

1997

Bringing Them Home Report released

Bringing Them Home, the report of the inquiry into the Stolen Generations, is released. It recommends a national sorry day to commemorate the history and effects of removing children form their families