The reconciliation journey began slowly, as documented in other sections of this website, but after the formal process began in 1991 with the formation of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, some events catalysed the emergence of the People's Movement.
High Court Mabo judgement
in June 1992 the High Court of Australia recognised the claim of Eddie Mabo to title over his traditional land in the Torres Strait. This ruling overturned 204 years of precedence where the concept of 'terra nulius' (empty land) had been the guiding principle in determining whether Australia's Indigenous peoples had any prior claim to the land which was settled by white Australians.
This judgement gave great impetus to 'land rights' claims by various Indigenous traditional owners. After negotiation between the Government and representatives of Traditional Owners, it was agreed that Freehold title which had been granted since European settlement would be upheld, but the situation with respect to leasehold land would need to be further determined. (see Wik High Court judgement)
Paul Keating's Redfern Park Speech
In December 1992, the then Prime Minister, Paul Keating, delivered a landmark speech at Redfern Park in Sydney on the occasion of the Australian launch of the UN Year of Indigenous Peoples. (Ref: www.keating) The effect was dramatic, as it was the first time that an Australian Prime Minister had acknowledged the impact that European invasion and settlement has had on Indigenous people in Australia. Those working to overcome the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians and working to build better relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians took great heart from this, believing that their efforts would now be supported by government programs.
Some signposts from Daguragu
In August 1996 Sir William Deane, Governor General of Australia, delivered the inaugural Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture in Darwin, to commemorate the day, 40 years earlier, when Vincent Lingiari led members of his Gurindji tribe and other groups off Wave Hill Station, 600 kilometres south-west of Katherine in the Northern Territory, to a river bed nearby. The immediate catalyst for the strike was the refusal of Vestey's Manager (Wave Hill was leased by the British Vestey group of companies) to meet Vincent Lingiari's request that Aboriginal Stockmen be paid $25 a week. But what was apparently an industrial dispute over appalling working and living conditions, soon revealed itself as a demand by the Gurindji people for the return of their traditional lands.
Wik High Court judgement
In December 1996, the High Court ruled on the claim of the Wik People of Cape York, for 'Native Title rights' on land where a pastoral lease had been granted by the Queensland government. The Court said that the grant of a pastoral lease did not necessarily extinguish all native title rights. This judgement sparked a mis-information campaign by the Federal Government, where Government Ministers spread rumours that this would mean 'bucket-loads' of extinguishment of people's titles to land, including their backyards. However, attempts by the Government to radically alter the Native Title legislation were thwarted by the Senate, although some amendments were made to the original legislation.
Australian Reconcilation Convention
In May 1997, to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, the Australian Reconciliation Convention, organised by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, was held in Melbourne. It was held over three days and involved 1400 participants from all parts of Australia and representing all sectors of the community.
Bringing Them Home Report
In May 1997, after an enquiry lasting three years, the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission's report, titled Bringing Them Home, was tabled in the Federal Parliament. The enquiry had been looking into past government practice of removing 'half-caste' Aboriginal children from their parents and placing them with Foster Parents or in Children's Homes. These children have become known as the Stolen Generations. The Commissioners took evidence from hundreds of former 'stolen children' around Australia, and of the effect the government policy had had on their lives.
Sorry Books
in December 1997 a group of people living in the Wingecaribee Shire handed a Sorry Book to Mick Dodson, Social Justice Commissioner - the book contained signed messages expressing sorrow for the impact that past policies of taking children away from their families had had on Aboriginal families and communities. This event was publicised on ABC TV and the Australians for Reconciliation(ANT) group reproduced 'Sorry Books' for people to sign at Circular Quay, in Sydney, on Australia Day 1998. From that day on, ANT, ANTaR and local reconciliation groups circulated 1000 official Sorry Books across Australia. A vast network of volunteers moved the books from community to community. They were displayed in local Council foyers, libraries, museums, churches, bookshops and schools. Many thousands of people wrote comments and added their signatures.
Sea of Hands
These hands, in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, have become a symbol of reconciliation. They have been displayed by groups in hundreds of locations around the country. They are ANTaR (Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation)'s primary public education initiative and Australia's largest public art installation.
Talkin Up Reconciliation Convention
Talkin Up Reconciliation, the first ever NSW Reconciliation Convention, was organised by the NSW State Reconciliation Committee (SRC).
It was held at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre from 13-15 August 1999.
It was the first statewide reconciliation event, and was timed to provide an early public response to the Document of Reconciliation being developed by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. And with the formal national process of reconciliation due to finish at the end of Yr 2000, the Convention provided the opportunity to explore ways in which the People's Reconciliation Movement could continue into the next millenium. The Convention was preceded by a series of Regional workshops held around the State.