Shirley Coleen Smith Essay

Assess the contribution of Charles Perkins to the struggle for rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people in Australia. Introduction - Charles Perkins made major contributions to the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people. In the past, Australia did not recognise the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal Australians due to European settlements, when they arrived in 1788, they did not understand the aboriginal culture. They looked for signs of land ownership and found none. They claimed Australia as ‘Terra Nullius’ (No Body lands).

Charles Perkins, born in Alice Springs 1936, was a controversial leader within the Aboriginal community. Perkins was known both for this willingness to fight for what he believed in, and his determination, although this confidence brought him into conflict with community leaders and the government. Perkins was involved in the ‘Freedom Ride’ travelling through rural New South Wales in the early 60’s. This ride was a significant contribution highlighting the predicament the Aboriginals faced. Being Aboriginal himself, this ride demonstrated that Aboriginal people could stand up for themselves.

Dr Anita Heiss graced Australia with her presence in 1968, welcomed by her proud Wiradjuri nation mother, Elsie nee Williams (The University of Notre Dame, 2016) and Austrian immigrant father, Josef Heiss (Indigenous Australia, n.d.). Dr Anita Heiss arrived into a society that had just voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people as equals in the 1967 referendum (Harrison, 2011). The treatment of her maternal grandmother and aunt placing her as a direct descendant of the Stolen Generations (Heiss, n.d.). Dr Anita Heiss’ life began in Matraville, Sydney and by her own omission had a privileged upbringing; attending a local Catholic school and going on to graduate with honours at The University of NSW (Elliot, 2012). It

We are gathered here today, in loving memory of the greatest prime minister to ever grace Australian soil. Gough Whitlam broke a 23-year-old dry spell for the labour party and although his term in office was a mere three years, in that three years he did more than any other prime minister ever has and truly began to shape the Australia we live in today. From humble beginnings, to fighting for Australia, Whitlam was a man of great courage and will and for that his legacy will transpire long past his time. FIRST BODY PARA: ‘Terra Nullius’ the two words that initiated white superiority in Australia for over 100 years. Gough Whitlam was the first Australian prime minister to accept instead of oppress and put an end to a previously idealistic

Smith continues his pattern of strong emotive language whilst depicting the poor and inhumane treatment of the Aboriginals and how in accordance to the newly aquatinted British laws and customs, they were “for the most part, invisible and discounted”. Statements such as these are used to position the reader to feel sympathy towards the Aboriginals as they come to terms with the full extend of the hardship and discord faced by them. Moreover, adding to the understanding of how tirelessly throughout history and continuing today, they have fought to obtain rights equal to those of a white Australian. Smith then continues by appealing to the readers sense of sustainability. By recounting how the Aboriginals “nurtured” and “preserved” Australia and how the life of modern Australian isn’t sustainable, and how we, should seek guidance and assistance from the Aboriginals.

Mabo's activism and leadership also helped to raise awareness about the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Australia. He was a powerful advocate for Indigenous rights and worked tirelessly to promote the recognition of Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions. His legacy continues to inspire Indigenous people around the world to fight for their rights and to promote social justice and equality for

The changes that took place in Australia were reflective of changes happening around the world. The Civil Rights Movement that took place in the U.S. was “an inspiration to the world” as it broke down racial barriers. Additionally, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human rights “declared that people should not be discriminated against on the basis of race.” Though initially dismissed, this proved to have a positive effect on Aboriginal affairs as they acquired more rights. The progress being made in other nations excited the Aboriginal people and instilled hope that change was

What inspired me the most was her continuation to make this cultural integration a permanent view in the country, in which she used her role as the International Indigenous Human Rights Ambassador to work hard to change and challenge attitudes throughout the Australian

[9] The authors contend that the Australian Constitution has historically been used to marginalize Indigenous Australians and that any attempts at constitutional change must be cognizant of this history. The authors argue that the current constitutional framework in Australia needs to be revised to address Indigenous issues, particularly concerning the recognition of Indigenous rights and the participation of Indigenous Australians in the political process. They contend that a First Nations Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission are essential components of constitutional change in Australia. They would provide a framework for Indigenous self-determination and recognizing Indigenous

Charles Perkins was an activist who spent most of his life fighting for Indigenous people and their rights. He pushed himself out into a world full of racism, to raise awareness of the issues Indigenous people are facing in education, housing, health and their employment. He was a national spokesperson fighting for the rights of Indigenous people throughout Australia. Perkins through his Freedom Rides fought against racial discrimination towards Indigenous Australians and fought for the concept of ‘closing the gap’, pushing the idea of equal opportunities for Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people inside education and within the community. Charles Nelson Perkins was born in Alice Springs in 1936 to an Arrente mother, Hetty and Kalkadoon father, Connelly .

The Aboriginal Embassy protest of 1972 has great historical significance. When looking at why it has such significance it is important to understand some of the driving factors leading up to the protest to provide a bit of context. One of these factors was that the Embassy managed to gain a multitude of international headlines, from areas like china all the way to Europe. It also incited change in the way Australian politics and especcially the ALP at the time thought about assimilation as a policy. Another major role that the Embassy played was giving the Aboriginal people from the rural parts of Australia a political movement that that could get behind, in turn giving them a voice that could be heard even internationally.

This reliable primary source written by an Australian jurist, shows that Indigenous people especially Grant, didn’t feel like they were respected enough during World War 1. The source is useful in showing that Douglas Grant was prepared to die because he and all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander felt like they weren’t being treated as equal individuals. Discrimination against Indigenous communities was faced on a daily basis during the War and even continued to when it ended, showing how disrespected and disregarded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

They achieved political advocacy through making in impact through influential networks and opinion leaders such as the government and gaining attention from diplomats from countries including Canada and Russia. Through endless protests marches, growing support from Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians and gaining media attention political advocacy was achieved. The Tent Embassy was further used to advocated for funding for Aboriginal communities, the political representation of Indigenous Australians, self-determination, and Aboriginal sovereignty of Australia, further expressing political advocacy. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in the area of foundational rights, more specifically in article 1 and article 5, The Tent Embassy embodies these key points of having “the right to full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms” (Article 1, UNDRIP, 2007) as the traditional owners of Australia. In Article 5 it explores the “right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions” (Article 5, UNDRIP, 2007) in Australia which is vital in advocating for Indigenous rights in restoring the connection to land and

She began the works of ending segregation and should continue on with the new generations every time. To remind everyone about the history and past that occurred that changed every single person lives. For the good and the bad. We don’t want to set an example to everyone that segregation is good. We want to grow with the diversity of many types of people and learning about different cultures that may improve our communities.

She worked diligently to bring a group of women together to form the council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia. This was the first women’s group to express their views and share ideas in Australia (Fisher, 2007). Based on research, there was no evidence to imply that Gladys experienced any prejudiced comments on her mission to set the women’s group up. Together the group had power to make decisions that helped create equality among indigenous and non- indigenous women. This group worked cohesively together to provide indigenous people with social and sporting activities to improve their health and wellbeing (Gladys Elphick Award, 2013).