Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diary dates for 2012
Sorry Day (26 May)
Sorry Day was established following the publication of the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report. This report was tabled in Federation Parliament on 26 May 1997. One of the 54 recommendations to come out of the report was a call for the establishment of a community-based National Sorry Day Committee. Each year, on 26 May, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Australia conduct a range of events to acknowledge Sorry Day and the Stolen Generations.
Bringing Them Home Report: <
National Sorry Day Committee <
1967 Referendum (27 May)
In 1967, a national referendum saw more than 90 per cent of eligible Australians vote ‘yes’ to two changes in the Australian Referendum:
to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the national census of the population and to give the Australian Government the power to make uniform, specific laws in respect of Indigenous people (rather than individual states making their own laws). Legislation reflecting the referendum was enacted on 10 August 1967. The 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum was celebrated in 2007.
National Reconciliation Week (27 May/ 3 June)
National Reconciliation Week celebrates the rich culture and history of the first Australians. The week falls within two significant dates in Indigenous Australia’s history, 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and 3 June, Mabo Day. This week provides opportunity for all Australians to take part in “reconciliation dialogue” and to think about possible ways in which to bring about positive change to the lives of disadvantaged Indigenous Australians. For more events and further information see:
Reconciliation Australia < and
Reconciliation in Victoria at ?
Mabo Day (3 June)
On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia handed down its historic decision in Mabo v the State of Queensland (No. 2), a native title claim by Eddie Mabo and others on behalf of the Meriam People of Murray Island, Queensland. The High Court’s decisionrejected the notion of Australia as ‘terra nullius’, meaning ‘empty land’ or ‘land belonging to nobody’, at the time of European arrival and colonisation.
The term ‘Native title’ was used to describe and recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may have existing rights and interests in the land and waters, according to traditional laws and customs that have survived beyond European arrival; and that these rights can be recognised by the common law. In the Torres Strait region, Mabo Day is recognised as a public holiday.
Mabo Day<
NAIDOC Week (1 July to 8 July)
NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July to observe the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC originally stood for the ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, a committee that was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. The committee’s acronym has evolved into the name of the week itself.
NAIDOC<
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day(4 August)
The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) organise this day each year, to raise awareness of the significance of providing a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for Indigenous children. The aim of the day is to enhance family relationships which can lead to positive consequences for the wellbeing, self-esteem, sense of belonging and resilience of Indigenous children. To facilitate these outcomes the importance of culture for young children is emphasised.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (9 August)
On 9 August 1982, the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations was held in Geneva. In 1994, the General Assembly of the United Nations decided to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on this date every year.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People
Indigenous peoples of the worldat <
Human Rights Day (10 December)
Human Rights Day celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since its adoption in 1948, this declaration has been translated into 360 languages, showing its universal relevance and forethought for securing human rights around the world.
Human Rights Day <