Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, pouring a handful of soil to Mr Vincent Lingiari’s hand and said: “Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands part of the earth itself as a sign that this land will be the possession of you and your children forever”
Vincent Lingiari responded. "Let us live happily together as mates, let us not make it hard for each other... We want to live in a better way together, Aboriginals and white men, let us not fight over anything, let us be mates.” August 1975.
A historical event and instrumental in the creating and passing of Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. (Vincent Lingiari & Gough Whitlam: the story behind the image, SBS NITV, 2 March 2016)
Learn and explore:
- Visit the map of Indigenous Australia to find out which Aboriginal Country you are currently located.
- “Mabo is everyone’s business” Betty Mabo, daughter of Eddie Mabo. Watch the full story of Mabo’s 20th Anniversary from ABC News 2012.
Stop and think:
- Next time you send a letter or a parcel consider putting Traditional place names in the mailing address
- Why not update your email signature block with an Acknowledgement of Country