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Edward Koiki Mabo - This Is Your Life
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Edward Koiki Mabo
Eddie Koiki Mabo's hardworking efforts has contributed greatly to the progress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Civil Rights.
- Vast amounts of traditional land, returned to their rightful owners
- The establishment of multiple laws in favor of the Indigenous community
- And most importantly, the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples inhabited the Land way before European colonisation.
Mabo is named 1992's...
1993
Furthermore, due to Mabo's influences, 'terra nullius' was finally eradicated.
Question three
Question two
The Claim was decided upon!
Would the progression of ATSI civil rights have been different in a more modern society like today's?
Question one
Three months later...
What more would you do to improve ATSI civil rights today?
How did you, and the other activists, persevere, for over 10 years, through the many hardships?
Six out of the seven judges agreed that the Merriam people DID have traditional ownership of their land, Mer:
The British occupation did not eliminate their entitlement.
This enabled all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to claim land for traditional reasons, unless privately owned.
For ten years, their claim struggles, constantly denied by the High Court of Australia.
Outside Parliament House; Land Rights March, 1981
Land Rights March, 1981
Unfortunately, Eddie Koiki Mabo was also struggling against cancer.
The university held a Land Rights Conference.
1981
...he passes away.
- 21 January 1992 -
On this day...
After Mabo made a speech on land ownership and inheritance on Mer, it was suggested that this particular issue should be taken to court, by a lawyer at the conference.
Five Merriam men, including Mabo, took the challenge and did so.
1982
Their legal claim for ownership of their lands began, led by Mabo.
Mabo was appalled by the idea of his own home being called 'Crown Land'.
It was this that influenced Mabo's will to fight for land rights.
1973
Mabo planned to visit his dying father with his family.
However, on their way to Mer they were refused entry onto the island by the Meriam Island Council.
1974
Now working at James Cook University, Mabo made conversation with colleagues.
Henry Reynolds and Noel Loos, historians at the university, recalled this from their significant discussion, which became a turning point:
his role in the push for ATSI land rights
The Referendum was held.
If voted "yes"...
1967
Mabo moved to Townsville, Qld.
Aboriginal people would be included in the census & the Commonwealth government would be allowed to make laws that applied to them.
He holds a variety of jobs:
1959
- A pearling boat worker
- A canecutter
- And maintaining railways.
Additionally, he married Bonita Neehow, who had been brought back to her country-of-birth from Vanuatu with her family to work in the cane fields.
his role in the push for ATSI land rights
Eddie Jnr.
On Thursday Island, with the Akee children, 1961
Mal
&
were both adopted by Koiki and Bonita
During this time, he assisted in the founding of the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service.
The Mabo Wedding, 10 October 1959
Gail
Bethel
Maria
Later on, the couple settled and raised ten children.
Young Eddie was about to change a lot of lives...
Having lost his mother at birth, Eddie is adopted under customary law by his uncle, Benny Mabo...
...but not as 'Sambo'.
...changing his surname from Sambo to Mabo.
Edward Koiki Mabo.
At a very young age, Koiki gained knowledge about his family's land, traditions and heritage...
Seeking further education at primary school, he became a bright student encouraged by one of his teachers to learn English, as it would benefit future possible employment on the Australian mainland.
The son of...
...members of the Piadaram clan...
...and...
Edward Koiki Sambo
...had been born.
...that a legend was born.
- 29 June 1936 -
It was on this day...
On the little island of Mer, or Murray as it is also known as today...
...located in the east of the Torres Strait...
...the cry of a newborn baby awakened.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE
"...Koiki was just speaking about his land back on Mer, or Murray Island. Henry and I realised that in his mind he thought he owned that land, so we sort of glanced at each other, and then had the difficult responsibility of telling him that he didn't own that land, and that it was Crown land. Koiki was surprised, shocked... he said and I remember him saying 'No way, it's not theirs, it’s ours.'"
Henry Reynolds & Noel Loos, 1974
...while living with the Mabo's.
Also, leading on from 'Mabo v Queensland' decision, the 'Native Title Act' is passed by the Commonwealth Parliament.
Marinda, Koiki's Sister
Bethal
Eddie Jnr
Gail
~* Australian of the Year *~
by the 'Australian'.
Mabo became an activist for the Referendum campaign, sparking an interest in the civil rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Wannee
Annie Mabo
Celuia
"...the Meriam people are entitled to the Murray Islands:
'(a) as owners
(b) as possessors
(c) as occupiers, or
(d) as persons entitled to use and enjoy the said islands'"
"Mabo v Queensland" - High Court of Australia, 3 June 1992