Skip to playerSkip to main content
  • 1 year ago
Today marks 50 years since former prime minister Gough Whitlam famously poured soil into the hands of Vincent Lingiari, symbolising the return of land to the Gurindji people. The moment followed a nine-year protest from Gurindji workers and their families and became a turning point in Australia’s land rights movement.

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00It was one of the most iconic moments in Australian history.
00:06Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam handing over the deeds of title to Gurindji Elder Vincent Lingiari.
00:14I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof in Australian law that these lands belong to this Gurindji people.
00:25And it was more than just a photo op, a pivotal moment in Australian history.
00:30Well certainly the handover of those lands at Wave Hill to the Gurindji was a foundational moment in the modern Australian land rights movement, self-determination, Aboriginal rights more generally.
00:45And it led to big things.
00:51From little things, big things grow.
00:54An iconic image and a famous song.
00:57And a moment that First Nations Australians had been waiting for, for a very long time.
01:03The moment came nine years after Vincent Lingiari led Gurindji workers and their families in a walk-off and protest to demand better conditions and the return of their traditional lands.
01:15They waited nine years when they sat down at Dagaruga.
01:18They were very patient.
01:19They didn't give up.
01:20They waited.
01:21And in nine years' time, they got their just rewards.
01:24A moment that changed Australian history forever.
01:29Now who gave the démoral to thrive.
01:30Let me draw things up.
01:31The real-time image and a Madame cha was married.
01:34lettuce juice.
01:48Let me draw things up.
01:49Now you can draw things up.
Comments

Recommended