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Eddie Mabo, the man behind the case.


This is a biography of Eddie Mabo, the leading plaintiff in the Mabo case. His strength and determination made native title in Australia a reality.

Choose from the list of topics on the left and then choose 'Click to Play'. Topics are usually less than 2 minutes long.

Malo Dance
Topic
Sep, 19, 1995
ceremony, dancing, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Maiga, Malo dance, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island, reburial, sacred
Historic win in fight for land rights
Newspaper
Jun, 4, 1992
Mabo Case, native title
It's no time for hasty responses
Newspaper
Jun, 10, 1992
Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, native title
Mabo decision a victory over white arrogance
Newspaper
Jun, 4, 1993
Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, native title
Mabo's message of justice & reconciliation
Newspaper
Jul, 9, 1993
Australia, compensation, High Court judgement, justice, Mabo Case, reconciliation
...To my people...
Text
 
gardening, land use, Mabo, Edward Koiki, manifesto, native title, Queensland, Torres Strait Islanders
Benny
Image
 
Mabo, Benny, Mabo family, Mabo, Maiga, Mer
Koiki's Birth Certificate Extract
Image
Jun, 29, 1936
birth certificate, Common Law, crown land, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer
Black Community School Manifesto
Text
1973-1985
Black Community School, Black Community School, education, manifesto, multiculturalism, Townsville
...Both of us had jobs then...
Text
1960-1962
employment, Jardine Valley, marriage, Marriage to Bonita, 10/10/1959
Celuia, 4 years old
Image
 
Mabo, Celuia, Mabo family, Townsville
...coming home with tears in their eyes...
Text
 
Black Community School, Black Community School, education, Mabo family, racism, Townsville
...cultural genocide...
Audio
1973
cultural preservation, genocide, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
E.K. Mabo to Defence Department
Image
May, 22, 1986
army, Department of Defence, letters, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Sambo, Robert, Townsville, World War 2
Eddie Mabo to Yumba-Meta tenants
Image
Sep, 13, 1979
evictions, Townsville, Yumba Meta
Grandad and Grandma Sambo
Image
1966
Mabo, Bethel, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, Mabo, Mal, Mabo, Maria, Sambo, Poipe, Sambo, Robert
Guide to the Papers of Edward Koiki Mabo
URL
 
Canberra, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo Papers
High Court in Canberra: Mabo & legal council
Image
1991
Canberra, Castan, Ron, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, McIntyre, Greg
...how many black students...
Audio
1970s
education, James Cook University, justice, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...I was classified as being red...
Text
1973
Communist Party of Australia, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...identity of black students...
Text
Apr, 1978
Black Community School, Black Community School, education, Townsville
Letter re refusal for Mabo to visit Mer
Image
Jun, 7, 1973
Department of Aboriginal & Islander Affairs (DAIA), exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...since 1788...
Text
 
Black Community School, Black Community School, education, Townsville
Mabo family tree
Image
 
ancestors, Mabo family, Mer
Mabo's Tombstone, Murray Island
Image
Sep, 10, 1995
Las, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo family, Mer, Murray Island, reburial, tombstone ceremony
The islander migration
Text
1945-
employment, James Cook University, language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, migration, pearling industry, Queensland, Torres Strait Islanders, World War 2
...some second rate Black school...
Audio
1973-1985
activism, Black Community School, Black Community School, education, Townsville
...only a handful of black teachers...
Audio and Image
1973
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...He experienced racism...
Text
1997
Jardine Valley, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Marriage to Bonita, 10/10/1959, politics, racism, Reynolds, Margaret
...party politics...
Text
1950s
Communist Party of Australia, politics, Stranger In A Strange Land, 1956, Townsville, trade unions
...She was sixteen...
Image and Text
1958
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage, Queensland
Land Bilong Islanders lyric sheet
Audio and Image
1989
Land Bilong Islanders, lyrics, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam Mer, Meriam Mer, songs, Townsville, Wailu, Jack
...the fastest railway line builders in the world...
Text
1973
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, migration, Queensland, railways
...the only thing we had was the land...
Text
 
childhood, land ownership, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Mabo's Garden
The triumph of Eddie Mabo's suit
Newspaper
Jan, 26, 1993
High Court judgement, High Court ruling, High Court victory, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...There is a fear...
Text
1973-1985
Black Community School, Black Community School, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...we call it Watai...
Audio
 
Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Watai, wind
...We only had a tin of jam...
Text
 
education, indigenous Australians, James Cook University, Mer, Queensland Government, racism
...We the Australians...
Image and Text
1973
Inter-racial Seminar, James Cook University, Townsville
...we were being exploited...
Image and Text
1953-57
Department of Native Affairs, Exile, 1952, pearling industry, Queensland
Wedding photo: Bonita
Image
Oct, 10, 1959
Mabo, Bonita, marriage, Marriage to Bonita, 10/10/1959, Queensland
...traditional sailing canoe...
Text
 
canoes, culture, custom, Las, Mer
White beliefs were not the only ones
Text
 
gardening, land disputes, land use, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo's Garden, Mer
...you say it yourself...
Text
1960s
Australian Labor Party, Stranger In A Strange Land, 1956, Townsville, trade unions
...your sincier penfriend...
Image
May, 12, 1959
love letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage, Queensland
...your very own...
Image
Jul, 17, 1959
love letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage, Queensland
...My name is Edward Mabo...
Text
1980s
activism, Cook, Captain James, Mabo, Edward Koiki, manifesto, Queensland Government
...Growing up on Murray...
Image and Text
1936-52
childhood, education, language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Meriam Mer, Miles, Robert 'Bob'
...12 months exile...
Text
1951
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Department of Native Affairs, exile, Exile, 1952, gaol, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island Council, pearling industry, Protection Act
...Proper English...
Text
 
Exile, 1952, language, Queensland
...I got bored...
Text
1957
employment, Mabo, Edward Koiki, railways, Townsville
...Love Letters...
Image
May, 4, 1959
love letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage
...we're not to serve black people here...
Text
1996
racism, Townsville
...old racism...
Video
 
racism, Townsville
...street politics...
Audio
1957
gaol, Mabo, Edward Koiki, politics, Townsville
The Advancement League
Text
1966
Aboriginal Advancement League, Townsville
Inter-racial Seminar proceedings excerpt
Image
Dec, 2, 1967
Inter-racial Seminar, Townsville
A brief history of the Black Community School
Image and Text
1973-1985
ACTU, Black Community School, cultural preservation, education, unionism
...Primary Teacher...
Text
1981-1984
education, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...The story of Eddie's exile...
Text
1973-1974
Department of Aboriginal & Islander Affairs (DAIA), exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Murray Island, Murray Island Council
...Telegrams...
Image
1973
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island Council
...a dangerous person...
Audio
1973
communism, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island Council, Queensland Government, Special Branch
...the islands were mine...
Text
1977
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo Case, Murray Island Council, Queensland Government
Land Rights and the Future of Australian Race Relations
Text
1981
conference, Land Rights Conference, 1981, land tenure, Townsville
Eddie Mabo's address to Land Rights Conference
Image and Text
Jan, 1, 1981
conference, land rights, land rights, Land Rights Conference, 1981, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Townsville
...he was crucial...
Image and Text
1989
Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Meriam culture
...an agitator...
Video
1962-1992
activism, resistance
...hands clasped...
Text
Oct, 1986
Brisbane, evidence, exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Malo's laws, No Ordinary Judgement, plaintiffs, Supreme Court of Queensland
...my father told me...
Text
1986-89
Brisbane, evidence, gardening, hearsay, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, plaintiffs
...if they'd been able to destroy him...
Text
1986-89
Brisbane, inheritance, Mabo Case, Mabo v Queensland No.1, plaintiffs
...it was his own people...
Text
 
exile, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Murray Island Council, plaintiffs, Queensland Government
...I sat in the witness box...
Text
May, 5, 1989
Brisbane, evidence, Mabo Case, Mabo v Queensland No.1, plaintiffs, witnesses
...dearest daughter in law...
Text
1960-1994
letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo, Maiga
...to be done for nothing...
Text
1980-92
employment, funding, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
...Job application...
Text
1989
employment, Townsville
...he was going to win...
Text
1982-92
activism, diaries, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, resistance
...an extraordinarily confident man...
Text
1962-1992
family, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Moynihan's Findings
Topic
Dec, 16, 1990
adoption, inheritance, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
...his credibility didn't find great favour...
Text
Nov, 16, 1990
adoption, inheritance, land disputes, Mabo, Benny, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
...to see the wood for the trees...
Text
1990
Mabo Case, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
...Diary entries...
Image
1991
Canberra, diaries, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...he'd come from nowhere...
Video
1991
Canberra, High Court of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.)
Diary extracts
Text
1991
cancer, diaries, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...we had a cry...
Text
Dec, 1991
cancer, death, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, family
...it's not etiquette...
Text
1992
cancer, death, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992
...struggles I been through over the past years...
Text
1991-1992
activism, cancer, death, diaries, human rights, resistance
...take good care of your Mum...
Text
1992
cancer, death, diaries, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, Townsville
...a restless spirit...
Text
Feb, 1, 1992
death, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, funeral, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...I didn't want to part with him...
Video
Feb, 1, 1992
Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, funeral
...funeral...
Audio and Image
Feb, 1, 1992
Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, funeral, songs
...June 3rd 1992...
Video
1992
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court judgement, human rights, Land Bilong Islanders, land ownership
...so in the end...
Text
Jun, 3, 1992
Canberra, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court victory, Las
Australian of the Year
Newspaper
Jan, 26, 1993
determinations, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia
The Legacy Of A Tiny Island
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Mabo, Edward Koiki, native title
...the ripples are still going out...
Text
1992-
determinations, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia
...Eddie Mabo's tombstone opening...
Image and Text
Jun, 3, 1995
ceremony, desecration, Mabo, Bonita, Tickner, Robert, tombstone ceremony, Townsville
...Invitation...
Image and Text
Jun, 3, 1995
desecration, Mabo family, tombstone ceremony
...a very great Australian...
Text
1995
desecration, Mabo, Edward Koiki, tombstone ceremony, Townsville
...there's no further reconciliation...
Text
Jul, 1995
backlash, desecration, racism, reconciliation, tombstone ceremony
...a symbol of strength...
Text
 
activism, backlash, desecration, human rights, racism, resistance, tombstone ceremony
...symbolic castration...
Image and Text
Jun, 4, 1995
backlash, desecration, racism, tombstone ceremony
...a rare moment of unanimity...
Text
Jun, 6, 1995
desecration, Keating, Paul, Las, Mer, reconciliation, Townsville
...his ancestors are not far away...
Video
Sep, 18, 1995
ancestors, custom, Las, Mabo, Benny, reburial
...buried in his own land...
Video
Sep, 18, 1995
Mer, Murray Island, reburial
...I do feel at ease...
Video
Sep, 18, 1995
love letters, Mabo family, marriage, reburial
...Reburial Program...
Image
Sep, 18, 1995
Mabo, Edward Koiki, reburial
...Koiki's history of Las...
Text
1992
ancestors, death, diaries, inheritance, Las
...he really did die in my arms...
Video
1992
cancer, death, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, love letters, Mabo, Bonita, marriage
Eddie as a Teenager, 1950s
Image
1950s
education, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Torres Strait, Torres Strait Islanders
Las - 1890s**
Image
1888
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, Haddon, A.C., Las, Las, London Missionary Society
Malo Dance from Mabo film
Video
1995
ancestors, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo dance, Malo's laws, reburial, sacred
...I'm plaintiff for this court case...
Video
1989
human rights, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Murray Island, Passi, Reverend Dave, plaintiffs, Rice, James
...since time immemorial...
Video
 
annexation, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Mer, Murray Island
Eddie Koiki Mabo
Image
1986-1989
Mabo, Edward Koiki
Mabo with BCS bus
Image
1973-1985
Mabo, Edward Koiki
1967 Referendum
Topic
1967
1967 referendum, Australia, human rights
Activist
Topic
1962-1992
activism, human rights, indigenous rights, Mabo, Edward Koiki, politics, Torres Strait, Townsville
Adoption
Topic
Jun, 29, 1936
adoption, gardening, inheritance, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Mer, Mer, Meriam Mer, Murray Island, Sambo, Poipe, Sambo, Robert
Ancient & Modern Ways
Topic
 
Great Barrier Reef, Mer, Murray Island, native title, reef, sea claims, sea rights, Subkaur Island
Advancement League
Topic
1962-1970
Aboriginal Advancement League, activism, Townsville
Bakir Auski - Tombstone Opening 1995
Topic
Jun, 3, 1995
Bakir Auski, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, mourning, tombstone, tombstone unveiling, Townsville
Benny & Maiga's Son
Topic
Jan, 2, 1992
Brisbane, cancer, death, diaries, inheritance, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga
Big Noting Himself
Topic
1982-1992
exile, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island
Black Community School
Topic
1973-1985
Black Community School, cultural preservation, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville, Townsville
Buried In Townsville
Topic
Feb, 1, 1992
burial, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
Desecration
Topic
Jun, 3, 1995
backlash, desecration, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, tombstone, Townsville
The Best Of Two Cultures
Topic
1973-1985
Black Community School, cultural preservation, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam culture, multiculturalism
Exile
Topic
1953-1957
activism, exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Mer, Murray Island, Murray Island Council, pearling industry, Torres Strait
Gardener At James Cook University
Topic
1967-1975
activism, Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, employment, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
High Court Victory
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
Australia, Canberra, death, High Court judgement, High Court of Australia, High Court victory, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, native title
Homesick
Topic
1970s
cultural preservation, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island, songs, Townsville
Inter-Racial Seminar
Topic
1967
1967 referendum, activism, civil rights, education, employment, indigenous Australians, Inter-racial Seminar, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
Koiki's Wish Fulfilled
Topic
Sep, 18, 1995
ancestors, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, reburial, tombstone
Love Letters Eddie to Bonita
Image
Apr, 4, 1959
love letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Fishing the reef at low tide
Video
1989
fishing, Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki
The Roar of the Sea
Image and Text
 
canoes, childhood, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, sea
Grass Houses
Image
1898
housing, Meriam culture, Meriam history
Malo Dance 1967
Video
1967
dancing, Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Malo, Malo dance, Malo's laws, Meriam culture, sacred
Property & Inheritance
Topic
 
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property
The Malo-Bomai myth
Text
 
Las, Malo dance, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Papua New Guinea, sacred, Stars of Tagai, Torres Strait
E. K. Mabo and A.C. Haddon
Image and Text
1967-1975
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, gardening, Haddon, A.C., James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
Diver's Lament
Audio
 
language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabuiag Island, pearling industry, songs, Torres Strait Islanders
Intellectual Environment
Image and Text
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
...Students who had done race relations...
Text
 
conference, James Cook University, land rights, Land Rights Conference, 1981, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), The Townsville Conference, Townsville
The plaintiffs and legal counsel on boat to Mer
Image
May, 1989
Dauar, Kabere, Henry, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, McIntyre, Greg, plaintiffs, Rice, James
Hearsay & Oral Tradition
Topic
Feb, 1987
hearsay, indigenous people, oral tradition
Malo & Christianity
Topic
1871-
Christianity, Malo, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, religion, sacred
Meriam Land Disputes
Topic
 
Dauar, Depoma, Marwer, land boundaries, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island Native Court, sea rights, trespass, Waier
Legislation In Australia After Mabo
Topic
1990s
indigenous people, land rights, Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, mining, native title, Native Title Act (1993), pastoralism, political reaction
...He was determined...
Video
1980s-1991
activism, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, resistance
...I can speak English like any bloody white man...
Text
 
language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam Mer, Townsville, Whaleboat, Donald
...pantheon of heroes...
Text
1993
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Pearson, Noel
...a handful of black teachers...
Text
1973
Black Community School, education, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
...an element of egotism...
Text
 
agitator, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Land Bilong Islanders Song
Audio
1989
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam Mer, songs, Wailu, Jack
...the two great loves of his life...
Video
 
Loos, Noel, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...Piadaram clansmen...
Video
 
clans, Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Piadaram, Sagir - Trade Winds, Wailu, Jack
...18 Generations...
Text
1989
ancestors, family, Las, London Missionary Society, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Papua New Guinea
...If the wind is blowing...
Text
 
ancestors, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Islanders, totems, Townsville, Whaleboat, Donald, wind
...Our grandfathers and fathers...
Text
 
ancestors, culture, fishing, gardening, land use, Mer, Wailu, Jack
...He Got A Flogging From Auntie Maiga...
Image and Text
 
adoption, childhood, fishing, Kudub, George, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga
...early work...
Image and Text
1940-1950
employment, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Miles, Robert 'Bob', Yorke Island
...music and art...
Text
1940s
education, language, Meriam Mer, Miles, Robert 'Bob'
...I started to question the system...
Audio
1953
activism, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Queensland Government
...Why we weren't equal to the rest of Australia...
Audio
 
employment, pearling industry, racism
...I was the first one to go to the water...
Text
1953-1957
employment, Kudub, George, Mabo, Edward Koiki, pearling industry
... Koiki left me...
Text
 
Cairns, employment, Exile, 1952, Kudub, George, pearling industry
...love at first sight or what...
Text
 
Halifax, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
...He was that drunk...
Text
1959
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage, Marriage to Bonita, 10/10/1959
...You shouldn't do that to us...
Image and Text
1960s
employment, railways, Wailu, Jack
...Eddie was one of the first to come here...
Text
1957-
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Queensland, racism, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), Townsville, trade unions
...Growing up in the Mabo family...
Image and Text
 
childhood, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, Townsville
...He would act the goat...
Text
 
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
...He'd go to all these meetings...
Text
1960s
Australian Labor Party, employment, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Stranger In A Strange Land, 1956, Townsville, trade unions
Referendum Campaign
Video
1967
1967 referendum
Churches, Trade Unions and the Academic Community
Text
1967
1967 referendum, Inter-racial Seminar, James Cook University, Loos, Noel, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), Townsville
...$2,000 behind in rent...
Text
1975-1980
housing, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Yumba Meta
Native Title & Industry
Topic
1996-1998
mining, native title, Native Title Act (1993), Native Title Amendment Bill, pastoral industry, pastoral lease, Wik
Indigenous Customary Law
Topic
 
indigenous people, Mabo judgement, native title
The Politics Of Native Title
Topic
1992-
citizenship, equality, human rights, land rights, national identity, native title, political reaction, politics
The Benefits Of Native Title
Topic
1992-
Common Law, equality, human rights, indigenous people, Mabo judgement, national identity, native title, social justice
Australia In The Eyes Of The World
Topic
1992-
Australia, Australia, Australian International Relations, human rights, indigenous people, International law, national identity, native title, social justice
The Reshaping Of National Identity
Topic
1992-
backlash, decolonisation, indigenous people, national identity, native title, reconciliation
Belonging To Country
Topic
 
aborigines, Australia, dreamtime, indigenous Australians, land ownership, land rights, sacred
A Sacred Landscape
Topic
 
aboriginal property ownership, anthropology, Australia, clans, dispossession, kinship, land ownership, religion, sacred
Lake Tyers
Topic
1861-1970
Aboriginal Land Act 1970, Lake Tyers, land rights, missions, reserves, Victoria
Yirrkala
Topic
1976
Arnhem Land, bark petition, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, Kakadu National Park, Marika, Roy, Northern Territory, Yirrkala, Yolgnu, Yunupingu, Galarrwuy
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
Vote 'Yes'
Topic
May, 27, 1967
1967 referendum, activism, citizenship, human rights, Inter-racial Seminar, justice, Mabo, Edward Koiki, vote
Increasing Popularity Of Land Rights
Topic
1960s
Aboriginal Advancement League, Australian Labor Party, land rights, politics, Whitlam, Gough
Tent Embassy
Topic
1972
activism, Australian Labor Party, Foley, Gary, land rights, resistance, tent embassy, Whitlam, Gough
The Aboriginal Land Fund Commission
Topic
1974
Aboriginal Land Fund Commission, Australian Labor Party, land rights, McMahon, William, Northern Territory, Whitlam, Gough
The Whitlam Government & Land Rights
Topic
1972-1975
Australian Labor Party, land rights, Whitlam, Gough
Land Rights Stalled
Topic
1980s
land rights, Mabo judgement
Funding
Topic
 
barristers, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs
The Case Begins!
Topic
1982
High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki
A Challenge To The Established Law
Topic
Apr, 3, 1987
Canberra, High Court of Australia, native title, Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act , 1985 , sovereignty, terra nullius
...Murray Islanders Prepare To Give Evidence...
Text
1986-89
inheritance, Malo's laws, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, native title claim, No Ordinary Judgement, plaintiffs, Sharp, Dr. Nonie, Townsville
The Murray Islanders' Evidence
Topic
1986
evidence, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, plaintiffs, witnesses
Eddie Mabo's Evidence & The Hearsay Hurdle
Topic
Feb, 1987
evidence, hearsay, Mabo, Edward Koiki, oral evidence, oral tradition, plaintiffs
The Laws Of Malo
Topic
 
indigenous law, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, religion, sacred, sacred
Malo's Law
Topic
 
Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, religion, sacred
The Great Northern Expedition
Topic
1989
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
Queensland Witnesses
Topic
1989
evidence, Mabo Case, Murray Island, witnesses
Queensland Witness
Text
 
ownership, Queensland Government, Sagigi, Victor, witnesses
A Mountain Of Evidence
Topic
1990
Brisbane, Mabo Case, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
Justice Moynihan's Decision
Topic
1990
Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
...Moynihan's Findings (Video)...
Video
1990
High Court of Australia, Land Bilong Islanders, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island
...Excerpts from Moynihan's findings on Mabo...
Text
1990
adoption, inheritance, Killoran, Patrick, Mabo, Benny, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings, oral evidence, Passi, Sam, Sambo, Robert, World War 2
In The High Court For The Last Time
Topic
1991
High Court of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.2
The High Court Decides!
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement, Mabo v Queensland No.2
Eddie Mabo - Linchpin
Topic
1986-89
Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
Implications Of Mabo
Topic
 
Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, mining, pastoral industry, political reaction
...Stressed to the Max...
Text
 
activism, activism, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
...A bad temper...
Text
1962-1992
activism, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
... I'm Only Five Feet Four...
Text
1973
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
...Four Corners...
Text
 
activism, activism, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
...The Blues...
Text
 
activism, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, music, Townsville
...Intense and Passionate...
Text
 
activism, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, music, Townsville
...He'd Never Left Mer...
Text
1996
exile, Loos, Noel, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island
...Doing a Self-portrait...
Text
1980s
exile, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Gail, Mabo, Maiga, Mer, Murray Island
...Our own education system...
Audio
 
Black Community School, education, language, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...My kids were able to do the island dance...
Text
 
Black Community School, culture, custom, dancing, education, family, Mabo, Edward Koiki, religion, Townsville, Whaleboat, Donald
...Our own school...
Video
 
Black Community School, education, language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Whaleboat, Donald
...The classic problem of the immigrant...
Text
 
Black Community School, education, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.)
...Some dedicated school teachers...
Text
1973-1985
Black Community School, education, Loos, Noel, Townsville
...Very Politically Active...
Text
 
activism, James Cook University, Loos, Noel, Mabo, Edward Koiki, resistance, Townsville
...He Was an Intellectual...
Text
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), Townsville
...Excerpt from Mabo lecture...
Text
1980s
James Cook University, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, totems
...Renegade and Ratbag...
Text
 
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), Townsville
...You are non-Islanders...
Text
1973
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Murray Island, Rice, James
...Nothing's going to keep me away...
Text
 
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...a time limit of 3 months...
Video
May, 1989
Great Northern expedition, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, Mabo v Queensland No.2, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
...a formidable task...
Text
1982
Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.2
...Koiki was fighting for his pride...
Text
 
Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Mabo v Queensland No.2, Passi, Reverend Dave
...Koiki talked very hard...
Text
 
Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.2, Rice, James
...I'm Going To Win...
Text
 
activism, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.2
...I'm Going To Fight These Bastards...
Text
 
family, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Gail, Mabo v Queensland No.2
...1st Named Plaintiff...
Video
May, 20, 1982
Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs, Supreme Court of Queensland
...Wasn't it the case?...
Text
Oct, 1986
adoption, evidence, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, plaintiffs, witnesses
...He wept...
Text
 
evidence, exile, family, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs
...He could see a funny side to things...
Text
1986-89
evidence, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, plaintiffs
...He'd jump on the bus...
Text
 
activism, employment, funding, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
...I've never seen a man bawl like that...
Text
 
family, Mabo, Edward Koiki, West, Malita
...The first birth he'd ever been to...
Text
 
family, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail
Speaking In A Whisper
Topic
1991
cancer, death, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family
...I was well and truly pregnant...
Text
 
cancer, death, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Gail
...He'd always complain about his hip...
Text
 
cancer, death, family, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...The last photograph of Koiki Mabo...
Image
Oct, 1991
cancer, death, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...In Loving Memory...
Image
Jun, 2, 1995
Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, grave, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo family
...We Won! - Mabo vs Queensland Government...
Image and Text
Jun, 3, 1992
determinations, High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement
...Eddie's Native Title...
Text
1982-1992
determinations, High Court of Australia, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo judgement, native title
...One of Australia's twenty most influential figures...
Image and Text
1992-1993
determinations, High Court of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo judgement
...You're missing out on a good thing!...
Text
Jun, 3, 1995
Bakir Auski, ceremony, desecration, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, tombstone, Townsville
...Celebration Dance...
Text
Jun, 3, 1995
Bakir Auski, ceremony, dancing, desecration, Mabo, Edward Koiki, tombstone, Townsville
...Bury me at Las!...
Text
Sep, 18, 1995
Bakir Auski, desecration, Las, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, tombstone, Townsville
...Time to Move!...
Text
 
desecration, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, reburial, Sagir - Trade Winds, tombstone
...The casket..
Image
Sep, 1995
Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, reburial
Las
Topic
 
Las, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, Piadaram, Zogo le
Townsville
Topic
 
desecration, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
Black Activist
Topic
1972-1980
activism, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville, Townsville, Yumba Meta Housing Co-op
Customs Old & New
Topic
 
Bakir Auski, indigenous Australians, Mer, Meriam culture, tombstone ceremony, Torres Strait Islanders
Defending Territories & Making Peace
Topic
 
Depoma, Marwer, land boundaries, land disputes, land ownership, Las, Mabo Case, Mer, Meriam culture, Papua New Guinea
Defining Native Title
Topic
 
aboriginal law, land ownership, native title
Education & Early Work
Topic
 
education, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island, pearling industry
Exile Continues
Topic
1973
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island
Five Plaintiffs
Topic
May, 1982
evidence, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs
Human Rights
Topic
 
human rights, International law, Mabo judgement, Racial Discrimination Act , 1975 , United Nations
Land Bilong Islanders - Mabo
Topic
 
Great Northern expedition, land ownership, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, sea rights
Land Disputes
Topic
 
clans, Depoma, Marwer, inheritance, land disputes, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island Native Court
Meeting Bonita
Topic
1958
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, marriage
Meriam Mir
Topic
 
Black Community School, education, language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Meriam culture, Meriam Mer, Miles, Robert 'Bob'
Justice Moynihan's Findings
Topic
Nov, 16, 1990
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings, Supreme Court of Queensland
Murray Island Council
Topic
 
annexation, Murray Island Council, Murray Island Native Court, Queensland
Murray Island School
Topic
1890s
annexation, education, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Miles, Robert 'Bob', Queensland, school
Myths & Legends
Topic
 
Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island
Native Title & Indigenous Law
Topic
 
aboriginal law, Malo's laws, native title, Native Title Act (1993), sacred
Pearl Fishers & Their Times
Topic
 
colonisation, fishing, pearling industry, sea rights, Torres Strait Islanders
Performance, Art & The Sacred
Topic
 
Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Mer, Murray Island, religion, sacred
Personal Supervision
Topic
1947-1980
Killoran, Patrick, Mer, Murray Island, Queensland, World War 2
Recent Changes To International Law
Topic
 
decolonisation, human rights, International law, Racial Discrimination Act , 1975 , treaties, United Nations
Red
Topic
1970s
activism, Communist Party of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki, unionism
Resistance
Topic
 
activism, land rights, land rights, resistance, strike, unionism
Sacred Order
Topic
 
Las, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, religion, sacred
Stranger In A Strange Land
Topic
1950s
exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Take Him Back To Mer
Topic
1995
desecration, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Townsville
Terra Nullius Defined
Topic
 
terra nullius
Great Northern Expedition
Topic
1989
Great Northern expedition, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
The Hearings Conclude
Topic
1990
Mabo Case, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Supreme Court of Queensland
The Journey Home
Topic
Sep, 12, 1995
Bakir Auski, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island, tombstone ceremony
...the legacy of Eddie Mabo...
Text
 
Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo judgement
The Mabo Case
Topic
1982-1992
High Court of Australia, International law, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, terra nullius
The Mabo Decision
Topic
1992
High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement
The Plaintiffs
Topic
1982
claim, High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, Murray Islanders, plaintiffs, Supreme Court of Queensland
The Political Response
Topic
 
10 point plan, Australian Court Case, backlash, Court, Richard, desecration, Keating, Paul, Mabo judgement, mining, pastoral industry, political reaction, racism, WA v Commonwealth
The Townsville Conference
Topic
1981
James Cook University, Land Rights Conference, 1981, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
Tragedy & Victory
Topic
1992
Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992, High Court victory, Mabo judgement
Unemployed
Topic
 
employment, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Visionary
Topic
 
activism, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki
We Can Take The Government To Court!
Topic
Aug, 1981
conference, Kennedy, Flo, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Passi, Reverend Dave, Sharp, Dr. Nonie, Townsville
Working On His Boat
Topic
1991
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Townsville
X-Rays
Topic
1991
cancer, Eddie Mabo's Death, 21/01/1992
Malo-Bomai
Topic
 
aboriginal law, Las, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, religion, sacred
Manifestos
Topic
 
activism, education, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Marriage
Topic
1959
Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, marriage
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition
Topic
1898
anthropology, Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, Haddon, A.C., Mer, Murray Island, Torres Strait
The Story Of Malo
Topic
 
Malo, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam culture, religion, religion
Inside & Outside
Topic
1960-1981
activism, Mabo Case, Malo's laws, Meriam culture, Mimi, Marou, Passi, Reverend Dave, Torres Strait, Torres Strait Islanders
James Cook University campus
URL
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
Legacy of Eddie Mabo
Newspaper
Jan, 26, 1993
High Court judgement, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo judgement, reconciliation
Keating Pledges to Honour Mabo after Grave Vandalism
Newspaper
Jun, 6, 1995
backlash, desecration, grave, Keating, Paul, Mabo, Edward Koiki, racism, tombstone
Mabo Returns to Native Cradle
Newspaper
Sep, 19, 1995
desecration, grave, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island
Aborigine asks for 'yes' vote
Newspaper
1967
1967 referendum, vote
The Referendum
Newspaper
May, 29, 1967
1967 referendum
A Yes Vote for Aborigines
Newspaper
May, 16, 1967
1967 referendum, vote
Racists & Vandals
Newspaper
Jun, 6, 1995
backlash, Bakir Auski, desecration, grave, Keating, Paul, Mabo, Edward Koiki, racism, tombstone, Townsville
Leaders Denounce Desecration of Mabo Grave
Newspaper
Jun, 5, 1995
Bakir Auski, desecration, grave, Mabo, Edward Koiki, tombstone
Federal Attitude to Aborigines Unstable
Newspaper
 
Aboriginal Advancement League, aborigines, Federal Government, Australia, pearling industry, Torres Strait
His Claims Denied
Video
 
Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings, Supreme Court of Queensland
The roar of Las
Audio and Image
1898
Las, Meriam history, sea
When I First Landed Here
Audio
 
exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Las: 1890s
Image
1890s
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, Haddon, A.C., Las, Mer
'Vote Yes' Jingle
Audio
May, 27, 1967
1967 referendum, citizenship, human rights, indigenous Australians, vote
More Love Letters
Image
1959
love letters, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Diary Entries 2
Image
1991
diaries, High Court of Australia, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Property And Inheritance
Text
 
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property