For over two centuries, Indigenous Australians have fought to assert their sovereignty and demand justice in the face of colonial oppression. The events of November 2024, when King Charles’ first visit to Australia was met with protest, illustrate the enduring resistance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people against the systemic injustices embedded in the nation’s foundations.
A Protest That Shook the Establishment
Senator Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab-Wurrung woman, disrupted King Charles' address in the Great Hall of Parliament in Canberra, declaring, "You are not our king. You are not sovereign. You committed genocide against our people." Her bold statement underscored the unresolved historical and present-day injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. Despite her censure and suspension from the Senate, her words echoed the ongoing fight for land rights, reparations, and sovereignty.
A History of Resistance
This act of defiance is not new. Indigenous Australians have long resisted colonial rule, with significant moments such as the 1938 ‘Day of Mourning’, the 1965 Freedom Ride led by Charlie Perkins, and the 1966 Gurindji Strike under Vincent Lingiari. Each of these movements confronted the nation with the realities of systemic racism, forced assimilation, and land dispossession.
Similarly, the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne saw Indigenous activists establish ‘Camp Sovereignty’ in the Botanical Gardens, demanding recognition of colonial violence and the return of stolen lands. Mainstream media dismissed the movement as an unwelcome disruption, much like Thorpe’s protest in 2024. Yet, these acts of resistance continue to challenge the nation’s self-perception and demand accountability.
The Myth of Terra Nullius and Its Legacy
The legal fiction of terra nullius—the claim that Australia was an ‘empty land’ before British settlement—justified centuries of dispossession and violence. Though overturned in 1992 by the High Court’s Mabo decision, which acknowledged Indigenous land rights, the effects of this doctrine persist. Indigenous Australians continue to face disproportionately high rates of poverty, incarceration, and premature death, reinforcing the colonial structures that remain deeply embedded in Australian society.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart: A Call for Justice
The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart represented a historic consensus among First Nations peoples, calling for constitutional reform, a Voice to Parliament, and truth-telling commissions. Yet, despite widespread support, successive governments have failed to implement these changes. The rejection of meaningful self-determination policies reflects a continued paternalistic approach, where Indigenous voices are sidelined while systemic discrimination persists.
A Continuing Struggle
Despite symbolic gestures like the National Apology in 2008, Indigenous Australians remain over-policed, disproportionately incarcerated, and subject to policies that perpetuate their marginalization. The 2024 decision by the Northern Territory to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old highlights the punitive measures disproportionately affecting Indigenous youth.
Looking Forward
The protests of 2024, like those before them, serve as a reminder that Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded. The calls for land return, treaty-making, and reparations grow louder, and resistance movements continue to challenge Australia’s colonial legacy. As the nation grapples with these realities, the question remains: Will Australia finally reckon with its past and commit to meaningful change, or will it continue to silence the voices of those demanding justice?
What do you think? How can Australia move toward true reconciliation and justice for its Indigenous peoples? Share your thoughts below.
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