Resistance
Since the beginning of European settlement in Australia, Aboriginal and Islander peoples have campaigned for the recognition of their land rights, and the right to control or maintain at least some of their land.
They've tried direct resistance, street campaigns, political lobbying, industrial action; even appeals to reason.
However, Eddie Mabo and his supporters chose another route.
They by-passed state and federal governments, and went straight to the High Court of Australia.
They hoped to convince the Court that their rights to the Murray Islands still existed; rights founded in the Meriam people's traditional laws and customs, and not reliant on a grant from the Crown.
Bryan Keon-Cohen with Mabo Case plaintiffs
Image
Jun, 1989
Brisbane, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Kobere, Henry, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Passi, Reverend Dave, Rice, James, Supreme Court of Queensland
Gove Case
Topic
1971
aborigines, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, Gove Peninsula, McIntyre, Greg, Nabalco, Yirrkala
Activist
Topic
1962-1992
activism, human rights, indigenous rights, Mabo, Edward Koiki, politics, Torres Strait, Townsville
Colonial Warfare
Topic
1788-1929
Australia, colonial warfare, colonialism, colonists, genocide, land rights, martial law, massacres, Tasmania, war, Warlpiri
Second Dispossession & Indigenous Response
Topic
1901-1931
aborigines, Arnhem Land, Australia, land rights, reserves
The Gurindji Strike
Topic
1966-1975
Australian Labor Party, Communist Party of Australia, Gurindji, land rights, Lingiarri, Vincent, Northern Territory, pastoralism, resistance, strike, The Northern Territory Land Rights Act, trade unions, Vestey, Lord, Whitlam, Gough
Tent Embassy
Topic
1972
activism, Australian Labor Party, Foley, Gary, land rights, resistance, tent embassy, Whitlam, Gough
Noonkanbah
Topic
1979
activism, Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberleys, mining, Noonkanbah, resistance, unionism, Western Australia
Striking Back
Topic
1880-1936
Mer, Murray Island, pearling industry, strike, Torres Strait Islanders
The Gove Case
Topic
1967-1972
Arnhem Land, Australian Court Case, bark petition, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, land rights, Marika, Roy, Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, 1971 , mining, Nabalco, Northern Territory, Yirrkala
