The Tent Embassy
Tent Embassy
The tent embassy initiated political movement for Aboriginal activists, by working as a symbol to publicise the lack of land rights. Essentially, attaining Aboriginal land rights was seen as vital to practice the culture and gain economic independence. This goal was fuelled with a decision made by the Northern Territorial Government, to allow a mining company access to Aboriginal land; in protest, Aboriginal activists set up beach umbrellas in front of parliament house on Australia day 1972, claiming to be the Aboriginal embassy. The embassy embodied the notion that Aboriginals had become aliens in their own land which they had lived off for thousands of years (Korlff, 2014). Originally conceived to be a temporary protest, the embassy ended up having a lasting impact despite its constant struggle with police, creating a following of people and leading to Eddie Mabo's case being granted with native title. According to Cathy Eatock "The embassy has played a huge role in the introduction of Aboriginal land rights and the struggle to end racial discrimination in this country". In 2012 the Aboriginal tent embassy celebrated its fortieth anniversary standing as a landmark of political agitation in Australia and an icon of Aboriginal political movement toward land rights.
The tent embassy initiated political movement for Aboriginal activists, by working as a symbol to publicise the lack of land rights. Essentially, attaining Aboriginal land rights was seen as vital to practice the culture and gain economic independence. This goal was fuelled with a decision made by the Northern Territorial Government, to allow a mining company access to Aboriginal land; in protest, Aboriginal activists set up beach umbrellas in front of parliament house on Australia day 1972, claiming to be the Aboriginal embassy. The embassy embodied the notion that Aboriginals had become aliens in their own land which they had lived off for thousands of years (Korlff, 2014). Originally conceived to be a temporary protest, the embassy ended up having a lasting impact despite its constant struggle with police, creating a following of people and leading to Eddie Mabo's case being granted with native title. According to Cathy Eatock "The embassy has played a huge role in the introduction of Aboriginal land rights and the struggle to end racial discrimination in this country". In 2012 the Aboriginal tent embassy celebrated its fortieth anniversary standing as a landmark of political agitation in Australia and an icon of Aboriginal political movement toward land rights.