Antinuclear

On January 26, 1788, Australia was claimed and settled by white colonists and representatives of the king of England, while the indigenous inhabitants of this continent had been here for tens of thousands of years (Mungo Man evidence, for example). Claiming land, and the often-violent struggle over the development of it, have been at the centre of occupation, expansion and the trajectory of Australian history as we have largely known it. No treaty was signed with indigenous representatives when English law took over, so no definition of traditional tribal lands has been in place until recent decades.

Since the 1960s Aboriginal land rights have played an important part in the national discourse, activist and formal, social and legal……..

In 1992 the High Court decision on Native Title – known as the Mabo decision – overturned terra nullius and proved continuous ownership and occupation of land over time. As such it takes its place as a key moment in the development of our national history. The centrality of land to all aspects of indigenous culture and identity is an inescapable consideration. The ABC drama Mabo unfolds the story of how it all came about and the background and central role of Eddie Koiki Mabo, from Murray Island in the Torres Strait. Indigenous identity, the reality and status of land ownership and entitlement, and partnership of white and black in the processes of justice and reconciliation are at the core of Mabo.

Mabo narrative……….

References

First Australians documentary series (7 episodes) produced and directed for SBS by Rachel Perkins, 2008. Also companion book by Melbourne University Publishing.

Henry Reynolds 2003. The Law of the Land. (3rd ed.revised). Penguin…… http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/the-story-of-mabo-20140131-31r1s.html#ixzz2sHQQa9wS