The Gurindji Strike on Wave Hill Station began on 23 August 1966. The walk-off to Daguragu (Wattie Creek) was led by Vincent Lingiarri in response to the Arbitration Commission's decision to not pay Aboriginal pastoral workers equal wages. It would not be until 1968 that the poor conditions meted out by station owner Lord Vestey was recognised by the Government of the day. The Gurindji people were supporting their rights to equal wages and equal treatment of their people. Monies and basic food and health care given Lord Vestey by the Government for the provisioning of Aboriginal people on his property are withheld. These monies include child endowment, housing and wages. Food and health care are also withheld and are only given out on rare occasions

In the early stages of the walk-off, the Government threatens to kick the Gurindji people off their land. In a turn of events the Government offers to build houses, but the Gurindji people stand firm. Public opinion begins to swing in the Gurindji's favour and with the success of the 1967 referendum they gather support. In 1972, after the election of the Australian Labor Party, land rights are back on the agenda and a small parcel of land is returned to the Gurindji people. The petition to the Government states

Our people lived here from time immemorial, and our culture, myths, dreaming and sacred places have evolved in this land. Many of our forefathers were killed in the early days while trying to retain it. Therefore we feel that morally the land is ours and should be returned to us.
Broome, 1982: 177

It is not until nine years later that the Gurindji people are recognised as the traditional owners and acknowledged by the newly elected Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam when he poured sand into Vincent Lingiarri's hand. Today a large section of this country is owned and maintained by the Gurindji people. Search any of the following subject headings: Land rights, Gurindji, Wave Hill, Vincent Lingiari. Search title: Vincent Lingiari, Wattie Creek

Commonwealth Government now able to legislate on Aboriginal people

Aboriginal people granted citizenship. Search title: Referendum. Search subject, title and author: Faith Bandler

Each year since 1992 Mabo Day is celebrated on 3 June in respect of the Elders Eddie Mabo, James Rice, Father Paul Passi, Sam Passi and Celuia Mapo Salee who were the five plaintiffs in a landmark case brought against the Queensland Government in 1982. It is not until 1992 that the High Court declares that the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 contravenes section 10 of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975). Mabo Day is a result of this landmark decision by the High Court of Australia that overruled the legality of terra nullius that failed to recognise Indigenous Peoples' prior occupation where Native Title had not been extinguished

Mabo Day is named after Eddie Mabo a Meriam man from the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait. Mabo Day also marks the last day of Reconciliation Week and commemorates Indigenous voices and supports the co-existence of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people Australia wide. Search title and subject: Mabo, Native title, Terra nullius. Search author: Mabo

'In response to the Northern Territory Report into sexual abuse - called Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Makarle (Little Children are Sacred) - the Howard Government announced a national emergency in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

The Government's 'Intervention' involved sending police and the army into remote communities, alcohol bans, winding back Aboriginal land rights under the NT Aboriginal Land Rights Act, health checks for Aboriginal children and the quarantining of welfare payments in 73 Aboriginal communities.

With the exception of some prominent Aboriginal commentators, Aboriginal groups strongly condemned the Intervention. The authors of the Little Children are Sacred Report also spoke out against it, arguing that its heavy handed, top-down approach was inconsistent with the recommendations in the report.

40 Aboriginal organisations put forward an alternative proposal for urgent action based on consultation and partnerships with local Aboriginal communities, welfare organisations and women's groups. This proposal was ignored and, with the support of the former Labor Opposition, the Northern Territory Intervention went ahead.' Source: http://reconciliaction.org.au/nsw/ (Sighted: 15/4/09)

'The Australian Government formally supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This reversed Australia's previous opposition to the Declaration. Under the Coalition Government, Australia was one of four countries that voted against the Declaration when it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2007.

The Declaration is a set of principles which describe equality, non-discrimination, partnership, consultation and cooperation between Indigenous peoples and governments. It is a comprehensive standard on human rights for Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is not legally binding and it does not compel governments to certain actions. Rather, it is an aspirational human rights instrument that explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between governments and Indigenous peoples. Article 46 of the Declaration states that the 'Declaration shall be interpreted in accordance with the principles of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, equality, non-discrimination, good governance and good faith'.' Source: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/index.htm (Sited: 15/4/09)