Mabo : Working with Indigenous Australians Text 1936 Drama Biopic Inspiring. As Noel Pearson has recently said in relation to this issue: Were moving from a land rights claim phase to a land rights use phase where people are grappling with how we make our land contribute to our development.[3]. We need to work alongside government to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to turn the economic and commercial aspirations into reality. In one, the presiding judge said the mere introduction of British law did not extinguish Aboriginal customary law. This will always be our land. They can raise us to anger then soothe us. According to his daughter Gail Mabo, it 'fuelled his determination for recognition and equality in society'. But despite the success of the '67 campaign, in 1972 Eddie Mabo still had to get permission from the Queensland authorities to visit his dying father on Mer Island. On 3 June 1992 the High Court of Australia ruled that a group of Torres Strait Islander people, led by Eddie Mabo, owned the island of Mer (Murray Island). They both endured early hard lives that steeled them for the struggles that would eventually come their way. It is short for Mabo and others v Queensland (No 2) (1992). In the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Governments have committed themselves to the economic development of our communities. Tony Abbott thanks Eddie Mabo daughter 'Aunty Gail' for helping him We all know about the legacy of native title left by Meriam and Murray Islanders Edward Koiki Mabo, David Passi and James Rice. AAP. I have heard many stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Traditional Owners about the many barriers they face in reaching their potential benefits under land rights and native title. A number of key challenges that face Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were explored, particularly when it comes to the full realization of our rights under land rights and native title. While working as a gardener at James Cook University, he found out through two historians that, by law, he and his family did not own their land on Mer. Mabo's love for his homeland drove the proud Torres Strait Islander to undertake a 10- year legal battle that rewrote Australia's history. Eddie Koiki Mabo presents a guest lecture about the Torres Strait Islander community 2,837 views Nov 18, 2020 51 Dislike Share Save JCU Library 451 subscribers This short video is an excerpt. The earliest papers on the Murray Island land claim are a manuscript and typescript of a speech by Mabo at the Land Rights and Future of Australian Race Relations Conference at James Cook University in 1981. In 1959, he moved to mainland Queensland, working on pearling vessels and as a labourer. Unlike them, however, Mabo wasn't going to accept it. Today in the midst of winter there is still smoke from a campfire, framing a word spelled out on the lawn: Sovereignty. Mabo Day & Native Title: Who was Eddie Mabo & what is his legacy - Behind the News Behind the News 133K subscribers Subscribe 483 106K views 3 years ago Mabo Day on June 3rd, celebrates. Mabo Day & Native Title: Who was Eddie Mabo & what is his legacy? Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context. The Castle: Cheat Sheet | Movie News | SBS Movies Court cases in the mid-19th century challenged the idea of British settlement at the time the rulings were in favour of the Crown. More Information .We are closed in a box. This could also be translated as greater Indigenous control over our lands and resources more generally, and a decrease in the burden placed on Indigenous landholders as I have mentioned earlier today by government and other industries. That nearly a third of our land mass is Indigenous owned is testament to this. This was not empty land. Australia owes you a great debt. In his book Why Weren't We Told?, Reynolds describes the talks they had regarding Mabo's people's rights to their lands, on Murray Island, in the Torres Strait. Following his speech, he was approached by a lawyer, who asked if he'd be interested in taking the Australian Government to court to finally decide who owned the land. But the . Eddie Mabo's heritage and culture were major influencers in his rise to prominence. His mother passed away shortly after his birth and he was adopted by his maternal Uncle and Aunt, Benny and Maiga Mabo in line with Islander . The High Court is the highest court in Australia's judicial system. The National Archives holds a diverse array of records relating to the Mabo case. [3] N Pearson in The Australian, Property rights will help economical development of Indigenous Australians, 22 May 2015. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. On 3 June 1992, six of seven Australian High Court judges ruled: The Meriam people are entitled as against the whole world to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the lands of the Murray Islands [in Torres Strait]. . This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty., "This is the torment of our powerlessness.". Eddie Koiki Mabo: A Meriam man, husband to Bonita Mabo and father to 10 children. At the 1981 James Cook University Land Rights Conference Eddie Mabo made a passionate speech about land ownership and ancestral inheritance in the Murray Islands. 1992 High Court Mabo Case Decision No. 2 | Australia's migration Towards Reconciliation: The 1967 Referendum and Mabo During this time he became involved in community and political organisations, such as the union movement and the 1967 Referendum campaign. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen No wonder Mr Abbott was visibly moved as he thanked "Aunty Gail" for . And he knew truth. I honour your Elders that have come before you, those that are here today and I wait in optimistic anticipation for those Elders who are yet to emerge. As the Broome Roundtable highlighted, this remains one of the key unresolved issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their quest for ongoing economic development. The Mabo decision What is the Mabo decision? Eddie's daughter, Gail Mabo remembers that day well. What is this Eddie Mabo Biography Worksheet? There were three key components to this: As you will know, the first two of these three components have been implemented, with varying degrees of success and impact on our communities over the years. The world of becoming ascends. The judges satisfied themselves that Aboriginal people had been in Australia first, did have a long, rich culture that denoted civilisation and had voluminous evidence of land demarcation, usage and inheritance, to back up their claims of longevity and history. I was no lawyerbut I knew I sensed this was different. Can I also acknowledge all you here today who have come together to work out how we can access our land, seas and waters easier and quicker, but who have also come to talk to each other about how we can make better use of our estates to make life a little better for the rest of our mob out there. Eddie Mabo, the man who changed Australia - BBC News Until that day, the legal fiction of terra nullius, the land belonging to no-one, had characterised Australian law and land titles since the voyage of Captain Cook. Other cases persisted. A discussion of Mabo Day (June 3), which commemorates Torres Strait Islander activist Eddie Koiki Mabo and the historic Mabo decision, in which the High Court of Australia acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' land rights. I was there as a young associate working for a judge, and saw the jubilation and relief of . Without this foundation, there would be no opportunity for us to access these rights through this unique form of land tenure. In going down this track we have to understand and have to get these institutions to understand that there is a fair dinkum business case for doing this because we have had enough of welfare and charity. Today I want to talk about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be the leaders to grasp new opportunities that will leave a legacy for generations to come. Even though these rights have been watered down over the years, they have enabled us to reach a point where we now own nearly a third of the entire Australian continent and I am told approximately 54% of places like the Northern Territory. They claimed that Murray Island (Mer) and surrounding islands and reefs had been continuously inhabited and exclusively possessed by the Meriam people . He petitioned, campaigned, cajoled and questioned Terra Nullius for 18 years. Eddie Mabo was a staff member at JCU, working as a groundsman from 1967 to 1971. Two words showed something was wrong with the system, After centuries of Murdaugh rule in the Deep South, the family's power ends with a life sentence for murder, Flooding in southern Malaysia forces 40,000 people to flee homes, When Daniel picked up a dropped box on a busy road, he had no idea it would lead to the 'best present ever', Plans to redevelop 'eyesore' on prime riverside land fall apart as billionaires exit, Labor's pledge for mega koala park in south-west Sydney welcomed by conservation groups, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies aged 61. Transcript 9037 | PM Transcripts . The fall of the golden house of is but not the end. As this brave mans voice even as he had passed was heard by another man who is now gone and together they changed us. 5. A human rights based approach has been a key part of advocacy of all Social Justice Commissioners. "From self-respect comes dignity, and from dignity comes hope": Meeting At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/native-title-report-2008 (viewed 5 June 2015). Eddie Mabo was a man of courage and principle who fought for the inherent rights of the Meriam people, and ultimately for the rights of all Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal peoples. From 1973-1983 he established and became director of the Black Community School in Townsville. Eddie Koiki Mabo (c. 29 June 1936 - 21 January 1992 [1]) was an Australian man from the Torres Strait Islands known for his role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights and for his role in a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia which overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius ("land belonging to nobody") which characterised the Aborigines did not give up their lands peacefully; they were killed or removed forcibly from the lands by United Kingdom forces or the European colonists in what amounted to attempted (and in Tasmania almost complete) genocide.". Family gatherings were foregone. This is an edited extract of the 2022 Mabo Lecture, delivered by Stan Grant on June 3, 2022, to commemorate 30 years since the Mabo decision. Of invasion. Henry Reynolds (historian) - Wikipedia Audio file Transcript About this record This is the soundtrack of an address to the nation on 15 November 1993 by the then Prime Minister Paul Keating, explaining the Australian Government's response to the High Court's Mabo decision. Eddie Mabo of Mer island in the Torres Strait spent a decade seeking official recognition of his people's ownership of Mer and on 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia agreed, rejecting the doctrine that Australia was terra nullius (land belonging to no-one) at the time of European settlement. "Quite simply, Eddie Mabo brought an end to a two-centuries-old lie," says Rachel Perkins, director and inspiration behind the new movie, Mabo, released to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the historic High Court case. Eddie Mabo - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help Transcript of proceedings.in the High Court of Australia between Eddie Mabo, David Passi, James Rice.and the State of Queensland Proceedings for 28-31 May 1991, 3 June 1992, and 8 December 1992. Eddie Mabo's legal pursuit of these issues resulted in one of the most significant legal cases in Australian history, in that it completely overturned the idea of terra nullius (land belonging to no-one) and challenged traditionally held beliefs about how Australia came into being, and about ownership of land. These organisations could assist in under-writing costs, insurance and risk as well as helping explore options for Indigenous specific loan products. A lawyer heard the speech and asked . The former president of Western Australia's Liberal Party, Bill Hassel, said the ruling was greeted with "outrage". He was a Meriam man and grew up on Mer, part of the Murray Island Group in the Torres Strait. Born on 29 June 1936 in his village of Las on the island of Mer in the Torres Strait, Eddie Koiki Mabo was the fourth child of Robert Zesou Sambo and Poipe (Sambo) Mabo. Another key challenge that came out of the roundtable was the need to improve the capacity of our mobs to have the necessary advocacy; governance and risk management skills to successful engage in business and manage our estates in order to secure the best possible outcomes for our communities. The Mabo decision was a legal case held in 1992. Mabo v Queensland (No 1) was heard in 1986and 1988. He was another victim of Terra Nullius, like so many of his fellow indigenous people had been before him. De Rose Hill is a landmark case because it represents a significant moment in time in the native title space. It remains a collection of canvas and tin, but it has grown in those years since a handful of young Aboriginal activists planted a beach umbrella and wrote the word Embassy on a manila folder, to shake a fist at the power on the hill. Australian PM makes historic visit to Mabo's grave - BBC News Mabo/Mer active, free and meaningful participation in development; self-determination and full sovereignty over natural wealth and resources. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/eddie-mabo-lecture-stan-grant-terra-nullius-gerard-brennan/101126466, The man who 'took on the government' and won, Supplied: Australian Institute of Marine Science/Ray Berkelmans, Kevin was fishing for his family when he was confronted by a 'compliance officer', Australia's biggest drug bust: $1 billion worth of cocaine linked to Mexican cartel intercepted, Four in hospital after terrifying home invasion by gang armed with machetes, knives, hammer, 'We have got the balance right': PM gives Greens' super demands short shrift, Crowd laughs as Russia's foreign minister claims Ukraine war 'was launched against us', The tense, 10-minute meeting that left Russia's chief diplomat smoking outside in the blazing sun, 'Celebrity leaders': Mike Pompeo, Nikki Haley take veiled jabs at Donald Trump in CPAC remarks, Hong Kong court convicts three members of Tiananmen vigil group for security offence, as publisher behind Xi biography released, 'How dare they': Possum Magic author hits out at 'ridiculous' Roald Dahl edits, Vanuatu hit by two cyclones and twin earthquakes in two days, the colonists not the Aborigines are the foreigners, Justice Lionel Murphy rattled the bones of the Australian settlement, Ngunnawal traditional owners announce plans to lodge native title claim over ACT and parts of NSW, These men have 'unfinished business' with native title and their case could change Australia, Gail Mabo was with her newborn son when she learnt her father had corrected history 30 years ago, Former High Court Chief Justice who wrote lead judgement on Mabo decision dies one day before its 30th anniversary, Rare sighting of bird 'like Beyonce, Prince and Elvis all turning up at once', Emily was studying law when she had to go to court. [11]Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), preamble. Eddie Mabo (left) and . [6] UN Declaration on the Right to Development, Article 1, para 1. The "fallacy" that Perkins speaks of is the concept of Terra Nullius, land belonging to no-one. Mabo decision | Australia's Defining Moments Digital Classroom 2. Financing economic development within the Indigenous estate. Governance has always been at the core of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and our community life. Eddie Mabo had challenged the very ideological establishment of Australia and the first Australians. What did Eddie Mabo say in his speech? In conversations with Commissioner Wilson and others, we are in the midst of developing what the next step in this process should look like and we will continue to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples such as yourselves in order to do this. HOST: Today is Mabo Day. But we know that these scales do not capture the social disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. His mother died during childbirth and he was raised by his mother's brother, Benny Mabo . Eddie Mabo Speech Essay - studyscroll.com These things range from various legal and administrative barriers that are placed on us once a native title determination has been made and includes various tax and regulatory standards placed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the post determination phase, conflicts between individual and communal property interests and issues arising from the conversion of title. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this resource and resource page may contain the image, name or voice of deceased persons. Suggested answer: While working as a grounds keeper at James Cook University in Townsville, Eddie learnt about Australian land ownership laws. Then, in June 1992, the years of sacrifice and persuasion came to fruition. I also acknowledge the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion who is here today and my colleague Tim Wilson, our Australian Human Rights Commissioner. A Yolngu word meaning to come together after a struggle. Mabo: Life of an Island Man is a 1997 Australian documentary film on the life of Indigenous Australian land rights campaigner Eddie Koiki Mabo.. At 31, this affrontery became his epiphany. From 1973-1983 he established and became director of the Black Community School in Townsville. In 1981, Eddie Mabo delivered a speech at James Cook University in Queensland, where he challenged the widely accepted belief of ownership and inheritance of land on Murray Island. Justice John Willis said: "In Australia it is the colonists not the Aborigines are the foreigners.". And he was right. The memory of wounds. We know sadness. They then said to tell you they are aware of your continued fight for your culture and your country and salute you for your ongoing struggle. Mabo expressed disbelief and shock. The Mabo Case Eddie Mabo is widely known for his plight to regain land rights for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But he had to find words to speak a deeper truth even as he upheld the myth of terra nullius that Aboriginal people, he said, had a "subtle and elaborate system of law". Transcript 3849 | PM Transcripts Insight into the significance of Mabo Day for Aboriginal and Torres I also acknowledge Meriam PBC Chair Mr Doug Passi. According to accounts of the conversation, the two scholarly figures looked at each other and then, delicately, told Mabo that he didn't own the land and that it was Crown land. Eddie Mabo's dream had come true; a meeting of minds to address the issue of Aboriginal land . 2006 Presentation by Professor Larissa Behrendt. Eddie Koiki Mabo Lecture Series. He was a Meriam man and grew up on Mer, part of the Murray Island Group in the Torres Strait. Mr Mabo died in 1992 just months before his 10-year legal battle for native title rights proved successful. We are still trying to find the words to equal the full measure of Eddie Mabo's devotion. [1] It was brought by Eddie Mabo against the State of Queensland and decided on 3 June 1992. He immediately saw the injustice of it and from then on dedicated his life to reversing it. By continuing to use this site, you are giving us consent to do this. We go on, he said, ever, ever, ever on. Mabo | Film Analysis, Summary, Themes & Characters I like how the words create a rhythm. Can I be indulgent and add a couple of others. For many at JCU, the landmark legal decision has been rendered personal, as well as political and historic, because of Eddie's important association with JCU staff and students, and with our surrounding communities. British law was the law of the colony and usurped and superseded Aboriginal law. Mabo/The Man/Land Rights Conference Mabo - as in Eddie Mabo, who famously fought a winning fight against the legal doctrine of terra nullius to enshrine Aboriginal land rights in law - is referenced on two occasions. Mabo and his fellow plaintiff's fought for land on Mer - their ancestral gardens and home. It is clear that the current system has not delivered what had initially been intended to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Han is Korean and it is more than a word. The conference, 'Land Rights and the Future of Australian Race Relations', was sponsored by the Townsville Treaty Committee and the James Cook University's Student Union. In 1992 the High Court handed down its historic ruling. We cannot cross the same stream twice. Eddie Koiki Mabo presents a guest lecture about the Torres - YouTube Australian law for two centuries hid the truth behind words. 2019. I have been honoured in the last six weeks by being asked to deliver both the Eddie Koiki Mabo Lecture here today and the Rob Riley Memorial Lecture on Friday the 8th of May in Perth. Resting Place of Eddie Mabo. That's why the legal decision is universally known as "Mabo". More information. Mabo Collection | National Library of Australia Eddie Koiki Mabo at Las, Murray Island, 1989 On 3 June 1992 the High Court of Australia recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership of Mer (Murray Island). Our landsings gently a song of sadness. He told them of his dream of ending his days on Murray Island, on the ancestral land that had been handed down through his family for 15 generations. Six weeks later his father died. Edward 'Koiki' Mabo (1936-1992), Torres Strait Islander community leader and land rights campaigner, was born on 29 June 1936 at Las, on Mer, in the Murray group of islands, Queensland, the fourth surviving child of Murray Islands-born parents 'Robert' Zesou Sambo, seaman, and his wife 'Annie' Poipe, ne Mabo. To build a world worth living in. British law under a British flag. The second key theme that was raised at the roundtable was the issue of financing economic development within the Indigenous estate. Fungibility and native title. I have heard it at dawn as the earth crackles, the river waters run, and the animals stir as the Sun peers above the hills and the light strikes the trees on my beloved Wiradjuri country.