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Day of Mourning
In 1938, Aboriginal people held a day of mourning on Australia Day to protest against the injustices caused by colonization. -
Australian government grants voting rights to all Aboriginal people
In 1962, the Australian government passed the Federal Electoral Amendment Act, granting all Aboriginal people the right to vote. -
Freedom Ride
Students protest against racial segregation in rural New South Wales. -
Gurindji people demand a better deal
The Gurindji people in the Northern Territory staged a strike at Wave Hill Station, protesting poor working conditions and unequal pay.
The strike lasted seven years and played a key role in the Aboriginal land rights movement. -
White voters demand a better deal for first Australian
After a 90% 'yes' vote the government gave Indigenous Australians the right to vote and be counted in censuses ,and ended the protection policies. -
Aboriginal tent embassy set up in Canberra
Aboriginal activists set up a tent outside Parliament House in Canberra, symbolizing their continued displacement in their own land.
They demanded land rights, political representation, and social justice. -
Land rights to be granted to first Australian
The Australian government began addressing Aboriginal land rights and considering laws to return land to Indigenous communities. -
First Aboriginal Land Rights Act.
However this Northern territory law only gave the indigenous people some areas of arid and largely useless land. Other land claims were often thrown out by the courts. -
Native Title Act passed
The Act was passed as a result of the Mabo Act (1992), which overturned the concept of terra nullius and confirmed indigenous peoples' ownership of land based on traditional ties. -
Reconciliation Marches Across Australia
In 2001, Australia held large-scale reconciliation marches, with thousands of people taking to the streets in support of Aboriginal rights and national reconciliation. These marches were intended to raise public awareness of Aboriginal historical issues, especially the conflicts between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in previous decades. -
National Apology to the Stolen Generations
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers a historic apology in Parliament for the forced removal of Aboriginal children. -
Voice to Parliament Referendum
A national referendum is held on whether to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
The proposal does not pass, sparking debate on Indigenous rights and recognition.