slideshow three - aboriginal and torres strait islander activism (20th century)

what are civil rights

rights that protect individuals from discrimination and ensure equal treatment under the law

how are civil rights different from human rights

human rights come from being alive; civil rights come from being a legal member of a political state

why were aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples campaigning for civil rights

to have their traditions recognised, gain equal rights, and challenge discriminatory laws

what was the day of mourning

a national protest held on 26th of January 1938 against 150 years of mistreatment since colonisation

why was 26th of january 1938 significant

it marked the 150th anniversary of british colonisation

what event did organisers want aboriginal people to join

a re-enactment of captain arthur phillip;s 1788 landing at sydney cove

why did aboriginal people in sydney refuse to participate

they rejected being used to celebrate colonisation

who was forced to take part in the re-enactment

25 aboriginal men from menindee, threatened that their families would starve if they refused

why were they brought from menindee

sydney aboriginal men refused to participate

what were aboriginal people mourning

loss of land, freedom, and lives since 1788

what rights were they demanding

citizenship, equal political rights, and better education

who organised the protest

jack patten, william ferguson, and william cooper

why was the protest historically significant

it was the first national gathering of aboriginal activists activists working together

what were patten’s main concerns

• terrible living conditions

• starvation

• forced labour

• lack of rights

• being pushed ‘into the background’

what did ‘patten’ ask for

• full citizenship rights

• old-age pensions

• maternity bonuses

• relief work

• equal education

• end to slavery-like conditions

which of these rights did white australians already have

pensions, maternity bonuses, relief work, and full access to education

who founded the australian aboriginal league

william cooper, a respected cummeragunga man

what was one of the league’s early actions

petitioning king george V for aboriginal representation in parliament

what did the league later become

the aborigines advancement league (AAL) in 1957

what does the AAL focus on today

self-determination, cultural preservation, and advocacy

when was the APA formed

1937 in new south whales

who led the APA

jack patten (president) and bill ferguson (secretary)

what were the APA’s three aims

1. full citizenship rights

2. aboriginal representation in parliament

3. abolition of the NSW aborigines protection board

how did the APA and AAL work together

they jointly organised the day of mourning protest

where did the groups want to meet

sydney town hall - but they were refused permission

where did they end up meeting

australian hall, entering through the back door after being refused entry at the front

what is a cause

a reason something happens (social, political, economic)

what is a consequence

the result or outcome of an event

what types of consequences exist

short-term, long-term, intended, and unintended

name key causes of the day of mourning

• 150 years of discrimination

• loss of land and freedom

• poor living conditions

• forced labour

• lack of citizenship rights

• refusal to participate in the 1938 re-enactment

• growing activism from AAL and APA

what were the consequences

• increased national awareness

• strengthened aboriginal activism

• annual day of mourning events

• greater push for citizenship rights

• foundation for later civil rights movement (1960s)