History

Explore the experiences of First Australians since 1901, from discriminatory policies and inequality to campaigns for reconciliation, constitutional recognition and land rights.

Topics

A topic is a collection of records with interpretation and inquiry questions. Each topic is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and focuses on an aspect of Australian history.

Topic

Dispossession and revival of Indigenous languages

Before British colonisation, over 250 languages and 800 dialects were spoken in Australia.
Topic

Notable First Australians

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made significant contributions to the Australian community across a wide range of areas.
Topic

World War I: Indigenous Anzacs

An estimated 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served with the Australian Imperial Force in World War I.

Records

Each record focuses on a single item from the National Archives' collection. Some records contain extra information to help you interpret them.

Record

Aboriginal activist Vincent Lingiari receives the Order of Australia from Governor-General Sir John Kerr

This is a black-and-white photograph of Governor-General Sir John Kerr, awarding the Order of Australia to Aboriginal activist Vincent Lingiari in 1978.
Record

Aboriginal land rights protest

This record is a colour photograph of Aboriginal activists standing in front of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1974.
Record

Aboriginal men, women and children at Oenpelli Church of England mission

Black-and-white photograph from John William Bleakley’s government report 'The Aboriginals and Half-castes of Central Australia'.
Record

Aboriginal rights demonstration at Old Parliament House

A black-and-white photograph from 1974 showing a demonstration in support of Aboriginal rights outside Parliament House (now Old Parliament House) in Canberra.
Record

Aboriginal stockmen at Wave Hill cattle station, Northern Territory

This is a black-and-white photograph of Aboriginal stockmen at the Wave Hill cattle station, Northern Territory from 1958.
Record

Aboriginal worker's police statement about underpayment by cameleer

Statement taken against cameleer Basha Gool by an Aboriginal worker in 1929.

Announcement

History

Topics

Dispossession and revival of Indigenous languages

Notable First Australians

World War I: Indigenous Anzacs

Records

Aboriginal activist Vincent Lingiari receives the Order of Australia from Governor-General Sir John Kerr

Aboriginal land rights protest

Aboriginal men, women and children at Oenpelli Church of England mission

Aboriginal rights demonstration at Old Parliament House

Aboriginal stockmen at Wave Hill cattle station, Northern Territory

Aboriginal worker's police statement about underpayment by cameleer

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