Indigenous Contemporary Issues
Assessment 3
Lisa Stephens S00062636
History & Belief
Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander people have rich
diverse cultures and traditions.
“Dreaming”
LAND
The Meaning Of Land
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Indigenous people ,Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people around the world land is the source
of all aspects of life for example, Spiritual, Cultural, Social & Political. Mother earth is a term used
by Indigenous people meaning a close attachment to the land we live on.
Before Invasion the land provided Indigenous people with all the necessities of life, food, clothing
and shelter. Our Spiritual connection was through the Dreaming, the land provided the religious
basis of life and each area had their own Dreaming stories that linked to the past and the present
future, providing constant traditions for each generation. The Dreaming also preserved the land
and the food sources as it provided guides as to what could and couldn’t be done e.g. totems
were issued to people in many nations, then they had a responsibility to protect that totem through
rules.
Culturally the land and its dreaming stories provided a basis for Indigenous people so this could
be put into practise such as sacred and non sacred sites, ceremonies, corroborees, art, dance
and music.
Socially our land provided the basis for the Indigenous families and social organisations. Kinship
systems revolved around both the individuals, and the groups relationship to the land and this
determined behaviours and lifestyles.
Politically the land provided Aboriginal nations with the boundaries and the laws under which they
lived.
Land Rights
• Land rights is Indigenous Australian seek a grant of title to land
from the Commonwealth, State or Territory Governments
• Native Title is the recognition in Australian Law of Indigenous
Australian rights and interests in the land and waters according to
their own traditional laws and customs.
• In 1963 Yolngu people of Yirrkala in NE Arnhem Land presented
bark petitions to the Commonwealth proclaiming Yolngu Law.
• Mabo case was 1992
• Native Title Act 1993
• Wik Case 1996
• Tent Embassy a crucial development in the Aboriginal Land Rights
movement was the erection of a small tent on the lawns outside
Parliament House on Australia Day 1972
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Background of Eddie Mabo
Where Eddie lived. Mer Island.
Eddie Mabo
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Eddie Koiki Mabo was born in 1936 on Mer Island known as Murray Island, one of
the Torres Strait Islands. His mum died shortly after his birth and he was raised by
his Uncle & Aunty
While Eddie was growing up he was educated about his family life and land from his
relatives, but at that time life was regulated by the Queensland Government. Eddie
was displaced from his home as a result of being a teenage prank.
After this problem he decided to work on the pearling boats, but his displacement
was extended, so Eddie decided to move to Townsville and get a job on the railway.
This was one key turning point for Eddie he then became a spokes person for the
railroads.
Eddie Mabo
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At the age of 23 he then decided to marry Bonita, they had 10 children in which they raised.
In the next 10 yrs Eddie had numerous amounts of jobs, but ended up at James Cook University
in Townsville as a gardener and taught the students about island culture.
Being on campus allowed him to have access to the library in which he would read books written
by the white people about his people and he was able to attend a few lectures.
In 1974 Eddie had a discussion with a few professors at the Uni about his land on Mer or Murray
Island .The professors realised that Eddie had in his mind he owned land back on Murray, but
they had to break the news to him that he didn’t own any land it was Crown land. Mabo was very
shocked about this when they told him.
In 1981 at the University a Land Rights Conference was held, Mabo made a speech where he
spoke clearly about land ownership & land inheritance in Murray Island. One comment Mabo
stated was that it is my fathers & grandfathers, grandmothers land, I am related to it, it is my
identity. That’s why I need to fight for it, so I don’t’ loose my identity to the land. A lawyer that was
there suggested that there should be a test case to claim Land Rights through Court.
Eddie Mabo
– The Islanders decided to challenge the legal principle of Terra
Nullius( Europeans could see no law in ownership of the land it
was claimed by the British.) in a High Court and Eddie would be
leader.
– The courts ruled that Eddie had no right to inherit Mabo land.
– Eddie was devastated, but kept on trying all avenues he even
appealed to the High Court of Australia.
– Eddie decided to take time out from being involved with the
Mabo case he decided to relax by painting or working on his
boat. After many years of fighting for his rights it started to take a
strain on him and it affected his health.
– In January 1992 Eddie Mabo died of cancer, this man was only
56 years of age.
– Five months later the High court announced its historic decision,
overturning the legality of Terra Nullius ( no mans land).
– One major decision that did come out from the court that the
Native Title existed and it was up to the Indigenous people of
Australia to determine who had ownership of this Australian land.
– That’s why today he is well known, this case is known as Mabo
in Australia, and he is so recognised for the work he contributed
to for the right of his people
– Three years after Eddie had died there was a traditional
mourning period where his people gathered in Townsville for a
special memorial service. His grave site was vandalised but his
people reburied him on his Murray Island. On the night of his
burial the islanders performed a traditional ceremony that has
not been seen for 80 years, he was buried as a king.
– That’s why today Eddie Mabo the Torres Strait Islander man is a
famous figure in Australian History for his role in society fighting
for Indigenous rights and the Terra Nullius .
Eddie Mabo
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Eddie decided to take time out from being involved with the Mabo case he
decided to relax by painting or working on his boat. After many years of
fighting for his rights it started to take a strain on him and it affected his
health.
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In January 1992 Eddie Mabo died of cancer, this man was only 56 years of
age. Five months later the High court announced its historic decision,
overturning the legality of Terra Nullius ( no mans land).
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One major decision that did come out from the court that the Native Title
existed and it was up to the Indigenous people of Australia to determine
who had ownership of this Australian land.
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That’s why today he is well known, this case is known as Mabo in Australia,
and he is so recognised for the work he contributed to for the right of his
people
Eddie Mabo
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Three years after Eddie had died there was a traditional mourning period
where his people gathered in Townsville for a special memorial service. His
grave site was vandalised but his people reburied him on his Murray Island.
On the night of his burial the islanders performed a traditional ceremony that
has not been seen for 80 years, he was buried as a king.
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That’s why today Eddie Mabo the Torres Strait Islander man is a famous
figure in Australian History for his role in society fighting for Indigenous
rights and the Terra Nullius .
Video On Eddie Mabo
• http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1380/
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Lesson on Video
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Before you watch
On a map of Australia locate the Torres Strait and Murray Island.
Discuss and define Land Rights. Do you think that many Australians understand what Native Title is? Why do you
think many people were worried by Native Title? Was this concern justified? Explain why you think it was or
wasn’t.
Discuss and find out who Eddie Mabo is and why he is important to Australian history generally and more
specifically the history of indigenous land rights in Australia.
While you watch
Watch the video clip and take notes so you can answer the following questions:
What relation is Douglas Bon to Eddie Mabo? How does he describe this relationship?
Why does Douglas say it is important to retain and maintain the land?
After you watch
Research the life of Eddie Mabo and create a poster display. Make sure you research his work on land rights and
his personal life.
Research and discuss the Mabo case. Imagine you are a newspaper journalist attending the court case that is
shown in the clip. Write a short editorial, commenting on the decision, its importance and the impact you think it
will have on Australia.
Further Resources
top
National Museum of Australia’s Talkback Classroom website
Northern Land Council: Land and Sea Rights
Mabo The Native Title Revolution
Lesson plan
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What sort of man was Eddie Mabo?
What did he and the Mabo case achieve?
How was Eddie Mabo seen by others?
Students to construct their own view of Eddie Mabo.
Get students to construct a visual representation e.g slide show.
Timeline
Read a closed passage on Eddie Mabo and answer questions?
Find dictionary meanings of the words: plot, referendum, culture determined
and Terra. Antonyms, Synonyms and Rhyming words.
Crosswords
True or False activity sheet. Then rewrite each sentence to make it a true
statement. E.g. The term Terra Nullius means “land of plenty”.
Reading Material
Poster of Eddie Mabo
References
– http://www.tweednews.com.au/story/2010/08/
30/fingal-remains-quaint-seaside-village
http://rodhagen.customer.netspace.net.au/nativetitle.html#The
Rights of Indigenous Australians
http://www.indigenousaustralia.info/land/land-rights.html