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The Stolen Generation
Between the two world wars it is determined that children with non-Indigenous ancestry should be taken from their families and raised in white institutions. This approach leads to the forced removal of children—what is now known as the ‘stolen generations’. During this time, Aboriginal missions are established by a number churches -
Momentum for change
In April 1925, the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association is formed and holds the first of four highly successful conferences in Sydney. This mobilised support from a growing number of non-Indigenous organisations, including philanthropic, humanitarian and church groups -
Counted as Australian citizens
the Commonwealth Citizenship and Nationality Act gives the category of Australian Citizenship to all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, for the first time. However, at a state government level Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples still suffer discrimination -
Right to vote
The Commonwealth Electoral Act is amended to give the vote to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Federal elections. The Act provides that Indigenous Australians should have the right to enrol and vote at federal elections but enrolment was not compulsory. Despite this amendment, it is illegal under Commonwealth legislation to encourage Indigenous Australians to enrol to vote. Western Australia extends the State vote to Aboriginal people. Three years later Queensland becomes the -
Referendum
After a decade long campaign by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working side by side to move the nation forward, a referendum held in May 1967 is the most successful this nation has ever seen. More than 90 per cent of Australian voters say YES that Indigenous people should be counted in the national census of the population -
Land rights
On Australia Day in 1972, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is pitched outside Parliament House in Canberra. The activists were protesting against the McMahon Liberal Government’s statement in which land rights were rejected in favour of 50-year leases to Aboriginal communities. The protesters issued a petition in February, which detailed a five point plan addressing Aboriginal ownership of existing reserves and settlements, preservation of all sacred sites, $6 million in compensation and full rights -
Self-determination
The Whitlam Government establishes the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and commits to a policy of self-determination. Three years later, the Australian Senate unanimously endorses a resolution put up by Aboriginal Senator Neville Bonner acknowledging prior ownership of this country by Indigenous peoples. Federal Parliament also passes the Racial Discrimination Act. -
The Barunga Statement
At the Barunga Festival, Prime Minister Bob Hawke is presented with two painting and text calling for Indigenous rights. This is known as the Barunga Statement. The Prime Minister responded by saying there will be a treaty within the life of the current parliament. -
The reconciliation movement
The Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is handed down recommending a formal process of reconciliation.The work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation during the ‘90s stimulated heightened awareness among non-Indigenous people. But the legacy of the past, which was exacerbated by continuing policy failure means that the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be marred by poor health, unemployment, imprisonment, homelessnes ect -
Historic Redfern address
Prime Minister Paul Keating’s historic address is given to a largely Aboriginal gathering at Sydney’s Redfern Park to commemorate the Year of the World’s Indigenous People. The powerful speech, was one of the most significant reconciliation events, asks non- Indigenous Australians to think about how they would feel if the past injustices inflicted on Indigenous Australians had been inflicted upon them instead. -
The Mabo decision
The High Court of Australia passed down the judgement in Mabo which recognised that Native Title did in fact exist and that Australia had not been terra nullius at the time of European settlement -
Reconciliation Week
The first National Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is supported by Australia's major faith communities. Three years later, in 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launches Australia's first National Reconciliation Week. -
Native title
The High Court overturns the notion of terra nullius (that the Australian land belonged to no one when Europeans arrived in 1788). As a result, the Federal Parliament passed the Native Title Act. In 1996, Aboriginal, pastoral and environmental groups on Cape York signed the a landmark agreement on land use. -
Bringing them home
On 26th May 1997 the Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families is tabled in Federal Parliament. The 'Bringing them home' Report revealed the extent of the forcible removal policies, which were passed and implemented for generations and into the 1970s. May 26 has since become known as National Sorry Day -
Bridge walks
More than a million Australians walk across bridges to show their support for reconciliation. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation is wound up, presenting a set of recommendations to the Government as part of Corroboree 2000 at the Sydney Opera House. Reconciliation Australia is also set up as an independent, not-for-profit organisation to encourage and support the nation in taking the next steps in the reconciliation movement -
Centenary of Federation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures feature in the Centenary of Federation; and the Yeperenye Festival, just outside of Alice Springs, hosts the largest gathering of Indigenous people in Australian history. -
ATSIC inquiry
The Howard government calls for an inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).This was followed, in 2004, by the abolition of ATSIC; the ‘main-streaming’ of Indigenous services and the establishment of the National Indigenous Council. -
Reconciliation in action
Prime Minister John Howard and Reconciliation Australia Co-Chair Professor Mick Dodson launch the Reconciliation Action Plan program. The program is designed to embed cultural change within organisations through building good relationships, respecting the special contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and creating opportunities. -
40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
The 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum honours surviving campaigners and raised the profile of reconciliation as an important issue in contemporary Australia. The anniversary celebrated the vision of equality which attracted a 90% yes vote by the people of Australia four decades earlier. Events are held around the country culminating in a celebration at Old Paliament House -
The Intervention
Prime Minister John Howard and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough announce a dramatic intervention into the Northern Territory Aboriginal communities in response to the findings of a report about sexual abuse, giving the Government power to several actions. -
The Apology
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, makes a formal apology to the Stolen Generations in the House of Representatives. Kevin Rudd recognises the significance of the word sorry: “… simply saying that you’re sorry is such a powerful symbol. Powerful not because it represents some expiation of guilt. Powerful not because it represents any form of legal requirement. But powerful simply because it restores respect.” -
United Nations Declaration
Australia supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Previously, Australia had been one of only four nations to oppose the Declaration -
Constitutional recognition
In December 2010, an expert panel is appointed by the Government to consult and lead a nationwide discussion about formally recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution. After a period of consideration, discussion and consultation with all Australians, the panel developed recommendations to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our nation's founding document. It reports to the Prime Minister on 19 January 2012 -
Act of Recognition
In November an Act of Recognition bill is introduced into the House of Representatives. The Act ensures that constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will remain on the agenda in the next term of Government, asks the Parliament to recognise the impressive history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this land and their unique contribution to the nation.