Land Rights, Protests and Boycotts
Native Title and Indigenous Protest
Throughout the 20th Century, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have fought for land rights and against injustice in a variety of ways. This category covers the many protests, legal battles and decisions surrounding native title, as well as other protests that have aimed to increase Indigenous rights.
Please be advised that this section of the site contains names and images of people who are now deceased.
Click here to search the Almanac for Feature Articles or Events by Date
Indigenous elders meet to mark Maralinga test anniversary
Indigenous elders met on this day in South Australia's far north to mark the 50th anniversary of British nuclear tests in the area.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 29-09-2003 | State: SA | Type: Event
Indigenous groups in collective native title bid
North-western Victorian Aboriginal groups met state Attorney-General Rob Hulls on this day a bid to have their native title claims settled in one go, outside court.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 04-08-2004 | State: VIC | Type: Event
Indigenous leaders call for good faith in Wik negotiations
Indigenous leaders in south east Queensland called for 'comprehensive and in good faith' negotiations between the Queensland Government and the Indigenous people of Queensland over its proposed Wik legislation, on the day following its tabling in State Parliament.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 27-11-1997 | State: QLD | Type: Event
Injinoo people purchase land
The Injinoo people of Queensland purchased the very tip of Cape York Peninsula with assistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 19-04-1992 | State: QLD | Type: Event
Jabiluka
Mirrar is the name of an Aboriginal clan located in the Kakadu region of the Northern Territory. The Mirrar have been owners of their land since time immemorial, and speak Gundjehmi language. Uranium mining has operated on Mirrar land for the last 20 years, and the Mirrar have strongly opposed the development of the Jabiluka mine in Kakadu.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Type: Feature Article
Jabiluka Action Group wins award
The protest strategy used by opponents of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine was vindicated on this day when the Jabiluka Action Group nationally was awarded the inaugural 'Non-violent Conflict Management Award' today. The award was made by Freedom from Violence Australia, a group that formed after the Port Arthur Massacre.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 24-02-1999 | Type: Event
Jabiluka appeal dismissed
The Full Court of the Federal Court dismissed an appeal by Mirrar Senior Traditional Owner, Yvonne Margarula, in one of several legal challenges to the validity of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine. Margarula, who had another decision pending in the Northern Territory Supreme Court and a team of lawyers preparing further domestic and international cases, was disappointed but not surprised by the Full Court's decision.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 21-08-1998 | Type: Event
Jabiluka blockade
The Jabiluka Blockage Camp, a group of 70 protestors including traditional owners, physically obstructed access to the Jabiluka lease and to the construction compound. At 3am people had locked themselves to a vehicle cemented in place on the access road.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 05-08-1998 | State: NT | Type: Event
Jabiluka group to face trial
The 'Jabiluka 13', known for staging their own trial against uranium mining company, ERA, travelled to Darwin to face trial for protesting at the Jabiluka mine-site in July 1998. The group pleaded Not Guilty to all of their charges.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 13-01-1999 | Type: Event
Jabiluka owners to continue fight despite legal loss
The Jabiluka Aboriginal landowners, who failed on this day in their challenge to the legality of mining leases and uranium exports from mines inside Kakadu National Park, announced their intent to continue their legal fight. Justice Ronald Sackville of the Federal Court found against them after senior traditional owner, Yvonne Margarula, challenged the validity of the leases and export licences for uranium mined on their land.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 02-11-1998 | State: NT | Type: Event
Jabiluka protesters arrested
Up to 118 Jabiluka protesters were arrested during the largest mass action on the Jabiluka mineral lease on 14 July 1998, were due to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court beginning on this day.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 18-01-1999 | State: NT | Type: Event
Japanese bomb Horn Island
The Japanese struck at the RAAF base an Horn Island today, with eight bombers and twelve Zero fighters. The Islander soldiers watched from nearby Thursday Island as plumes of smoke and dust rose over the airfield and dog-fights developed overhead.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 14-03-1942 | State: QLD | Type: Event
Jervis Bay National Park handed back
Jervis Bay National Park and botanic gardens were handed back to the Aboriginal community in an official ceremony in 1995.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 14-12-1995 | State: ACT | Type: Event
Kakadu Board of Management talks with Environment Minister
The Kakadu Board of Management held talks with Environment Minister, Robert Hill, after a twelve month breakdown in relations over proposed changes to management of Kakadu. Chairperson of the Board, Mick Alderson, said the Minister seemed prepared for the first time to listen to traditional owner concerns over new Commonwealth environment laws. However, while the Minister had agreed to some minor changes, the major issues remained unresolved.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 03-02-1999 | State: NT | Type: Event
Kata Tjuta becomes national park
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) in Central Australia were dedicated as a National Park.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 26-03-1958 | Type: Event
Katherine Gorge returned to traditional owners
Nitmiluk, commonly known as Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory, was returned to the traditional Jawoyn people and was then leased back to the Northern Territory Government for continued use as a National Park.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 09-10-1989 | State: NT | Type: Event
Kaurareg land hand-back ceremony
The Kaurareg land hand-back ceremony was held in the Torres Straits, the result of a successful native title decision for the Kaurareg people after more than six years of negotiations.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 15-06-2001 | State: QLD | Type: Event
Kemp declines to make declaration over Lake Cowal
The federal government ruled out protecting Lake Cowal in central western NSW from mining because it didn't think the area was particularly significant to Aboriginal people. Environment Minister David Kemp said he didn't consider the area of particular significance to Aboriginal
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 10-03-2003 | Type: Event
Kernot meets with Century Zinc groups
Australian Democrats Leader, Senator Cheryl Kernot, met both major interest groups at the centre of the Century Zinc mine proposal negotiations on this day. A number of Aboriginal elders and traditional owners put their case to her.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 07-09-1996 | State: QLD | Type: Event
Kimberley Land Council established
Kimberley Land Council was established at a meeting of some 1000 Aboriginal people at Noonkanbah Station in WA.
Category: Land Rights, Protests a... | Date: 20-05-1978 | State: WA | Type: Event
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