Key Milestones On The Reconciliation Journey

(See the section titled A Slow Awakening for the early history of the struggle for Aboriginal rights to be recognised)

In this section, some of the most significant milestones from the 1960s onwards, leading up to the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 1991, are described.

All of these events contributed to awakening the Australian community to the fact that Indigenous Australians were treated as second-class citizens, or worse, in their own land:

  1. The 1965 Freedom Ride, by students from Sydney University, highlighted the racism that existed in towns throughout rural New South Wales.
  2. The 1967 Referendum removed discriminatory clauses in the Constitution and opened the way for Indigenous peoples to be counted in the Census and to have a vote.
  3. 1988 Australia Day march - this march highlighted the fact that Indigenous Australians had survived all attempts by governments at genocide and assimilation of Australia's First Peoples.
  4. Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission - highlighted the appalling over-representation of Indigenous Australians in our gaols, and made 339 recommendations for changes in policy and practice by key government agencies.
  5. NAIDOC week - draws attention to the rich cultural heritage and creativity of Indigenous Australians.

For information about the establishment and objectives of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation go to the National Initiatives section.