History UsefulNotes / FirstAustralians

* '''[[UsefulNotes/AustralianAborigines Aboriginal Australians]]'''-The ones everyone knows about, inventors of the didgeridoo and the boomerang, present throughout Australian art, music, and increasingly present in Australia's television and cinema. Also the ''oldest surviving culture in the world''. They number only half a million.

* ''Living Black'', a current affairs show about First Australian issues. It is broadcast on {{SBS}}.

* ''Message Stick'', similar to the above, broadcast on TheABC.

Also known as Indigenous Australians, Original Peoples, First Nations. If you think this is the same thing as Australian Aborigines, then you've learnt TheThemeParkVersion of Australia's earliest inhabitants.

* '''UsefulNotes/AustralianAborigines'''-The ones everyone knows about, inventors of the didgeridoo and the boomerang, present throughout Australian art, music, and increasingly present in Australia's television and cinema. Also the ''oldest surviving culture in the world''. They number only half a million.
* '''UsefulNotes/TorresStraitIslanders'''-Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and unfortunately [[AndZoidberg often forgotten even in the nation itself]]. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 50 thousand. Despite this small number, like Aboriginal Australians they have multiple different languages.

For UsefulNotes/AustralianAborigines or UsefulNotes/TorresStraitIslanders in media specifically, click on the blue links for their respective entries.

Aboriginal Australians are represented in media much more frequently than Torres Strait Islanders, to the extent it is rare to hear about the latter at all. However, celebrities such as Christine Anu, and programs such as ''Series/TheStraits'', likely indicate this is changing somewhat. One celebrity who actually represents ''both'' communities is [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] player Patty Mills,[[note]]No, she's not the first woman to play in the NBA... ''his'' actual first name is Patrick.[[/note]] with a Torres Strait Islander father and Aborigine mother.

* '''UsefulNotes/AustralianAborigines''' - the ones everyone knows about, inventors of the didgeridoo and the boomerang, present throughout Australian art, music, and increasingly present in Australia's television and cinema. Also the ''oldest surviving culture in the world''. They number only half a million.
* '''UsefulNotes/TorresStraitIslanders'''. Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and unfortunately [[AndZoidberg often forgotten even in the nation itself]]. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 50 thousand. Despite this small number, like Aboriginal Australians they have multiple different languages.

Their place in Australian society has, over the last few decades, become one of massive controversy. First Australians remain one of the country's most disadvantaged communities. Amongst non-Indigenous, shame over historical (and in the views of some, more recent) mistreatment of the First Australians, still battles with the conviction that the disadvantage amongst many First Australian communities is regrettable, but no one else's responsibility. In his first year as Prime Minister in 2008, Kevin Rudd, made an historic official apology for wrongs historically perpetrated by the Australian government. The first Indigenous Australian leader of a state or territory came to power in 2013, taking the reins of the Northern Territory.

One of the most famous songs ever written and sung about Australia, ''My Island Home'', came from the (mostly Indigenous) Warumpi Band. Its writer was Neil Murray, but the singer who catapulted it to incredible fame was Christine Anu, a Torres Strait Islander. The song is one of the most emotionally powerful songs to Australians, and some see it as an alternative to the NationalAnthem. [[note]]Another hugely popular alternative anthem is ''I Am/We Are Australian'' - as with everything, their resonance is not absolutely universal. Unquestionably, however, they are cultural icons of the Australian nation.[[/note]]

A '''1967 referendum was passed''' with 90.77% approval. It amended the constitution to allow Indigenous Australians the right to vote, just like every other citizen.

Aboriginal Australians are represented in media much more frequently than Torres Strait Islanders, to the extent it is rare to hear about the latter at all. However, celebrities such as Christine Anu, and programs such as ''Series/TheStraits'', likely indicate this is changing somewhat. One celebrity who actually represents ''both'' communities is [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] player Patty Mills,[[note]]No, she's not the first woman to play in the NBA... ''his'' actual first name is Patrick.[[/note]] the son of a Torres Strait Islander father and Aborigine mother.

Aboriginal Australians are represented in media much more frequently than Torres Strait Islanders, to the extent it is rare to hear about the latter at all. However, celebrities such as Christine Anu, and programs such as ''Series/TheStraits'', likely indicate this is changing somewhat.

Their place in Australian society has, over the last few decades, become one of massive controversy. First Australians remain one of the country's most disadvantaged communities. Amongst non-Indigenous, shame over historical (and in the views of some, more recent) mistreatment of the First Australians, still battles with the conviction that the disadvantage amongst many First Australian communities is regrettable, but no one else's responsibility. Recently, the former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an historic official apology for wrongs historically perpetrated by the Australian government. The first Indigenous Australian leader of a state or territory came to power in 2013, taking the reins of the Northern Territory.

* NITV, Australia's National Indigenous Television service, broadcasts First Australians oriented content. See UsefulNotes/AustralianMedia for more details.

Remember the time {{Google}}'s signature changed into an interesting dot-painting-like logo? If you do, you used the search engine when it was celebrating the birthday of Oodgeroo Noonuccal. Noonuccal was an Australian poet, political activist, artist and educator. She campaigned for Aboriginal rights, and was the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse. The first Indigenous Australian ''writer'' was David Unaipon, who is featured on the Australian $50 note.

Their place in Australian society has, over the last few decades, become one of massive controversy. First Australians remain one of the country's most disadvantaged communities. Amongst non-Indigenous, shame over historical (and in the views of some, more recent) mistreatment of the First Australians, still battles with the conviction that the disadvantage amongst many First Australian communities is regrettable, but no one else's responsibility. Recently, the former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an historic official apology for wrongs historically perpetrated by the Australian government. The first Indigenous Australian leader of a state or territory came to power in 2013, taking the reigns of the Northern Territory.

Their place in Australian society has, over the last few decades, become one of massive controversy. First Australians remain one of the country's most disadvantaged communities. Amongst non-Indigenous, shame over historical (and in the views of some, more recent) mistreatment of the First Australians, still battles with the conviction that the disadvantage amongst many First Australian communities is regrettable, but no one else's responsibility. Recently, the former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an historic official apology for wrongs historically perpetrated by the Australian government.

First Australians are not one ethnic group - there are [[LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces hundreds of different cultural and language groups]] spread across this continent. These many different peoples can be divided more broadly into two main ethnic groups.

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* '''UsefulNotes/TorresStraitIslanders'''. Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and unfortunately [[AndZoidberg often forgotten even in the nation itself]]. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 50 thousand. Despite this small number, like Aboriginal Australians they have multiples different languages.

One of the most famous songs ever written and sung about Australia, ''My Island Home'', came from the (mostly Indigenous) Warumpi Band. Its writer was Neil Murray, but the singer who catapulted it to incredible fame was Christine Anu, a Torres Strait Islander. The song is one of the most emotionally powerful songs to Australians, and some see it as an alternative to the NationalAnthem. [[hottip:*:Another hugely popular alternative anthem is ''I Am/We Are Australian'' - as with everything, their resonance is not absolutely universal. Unquestionably, however, they are cultural icons of the Australian nation.]]

* NITV, Australia's National Indigenous Television service, broadcasts First Australians oriented content. See AustralianMedia for more details.

In '''1992, Terra Nullius was overturned.''' Before, Indigenous Australians had no ownership over land, even if their people had continued to occupy it since European settlement. Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo challenged this legal status, and the High Court conceded that Indigenous peoples should have their rights over land equally recognised along with all other Australians.

* NITV, Australia's National Indigenous Television service, broadcasts First Australians oriented content. It was launched in July 2007. See AustralianMedia for more details.

Aboriginal Australians are represented in media much more frequently than Torres Strait Islanders, to the extent it is rare to hear about the latter at all. However, celebrities such as Christine Anu, and programs such as ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Uh_16m6cI The Straits]]'', likely indicate this is changing somewhat.

* '''TorresStraitIslanders'''. Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and unfortunately [[AndZoidberg often forgotten even in the nation itself]]. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 50 thousand. Despite this small number, like Aboriginal Australians they have multiples different languages.

For UsefulNotes/AustralianAborigines or TorresStraitIslanders in media specifically, click on the blue links for their respective entries.

* '''AustralianAborigines''' - the ones everyone knows about, inventors of the didgeridoo and the boomerang, present throughout Australian art, music, and increasingly present in Australia's television and cinema. Also the ''oldest surviving culture in the world''. They number only half a million.

For AustralianAborigines or TorresStraitIslanders in media specifically, click on the blue links for their respective entries.

* '''TorresStraitIslanders'''. Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and unfortunately [[AndZoidberg often forgotten even in the nation itself]]. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 20 thousand. Despite this small number, like Aboriginal Australians they have multiples different languages.

The diversity of First Australians presents a conundrum. How do they tackle discrimination against them, disadvantages that beset many of their communities? While they make up less than 3% of Australia's population, that 3% is divided into many, many different groups with different languages, cultures, and outlooks. These groups are not even in size. Smaller groups have complained of being neglected or ignored. When Torres Strait Islanders try to get their voice heard as loudly as the entire Aboriginal Australian group, the issue of whether equal voice along ethnic lines over-represents groups a tenth the population of others crops up. [[WeAREStrugglingTogether Attempts to come together for their common cause have not ended well]].

One of the most famous songs ever written and sung about Australia, ''My Island Home'', came from the (mostly Indigenous) Warumpi Band. Its writer was Neil Murray, but the singer who catapulted it to incredible fame was Christine Anu, a Torres Strait Islander. The song is one of the most emotionally powerful songs to Australians, and some see it as an alternative to the NationalAnthem. [[hottip:*:Another hugely popular alternative anthem is ''I Am/We Are Australian'' - as with everything, [[YourMileageMayVary their resonance is not absolutely universal]]. Unquestionably, however, they are cultural icons of the Australian nation.]]

For AustralianAborigines in media specifically, see [[AustralianAborigines this page]].

First Australians are not one ethnic group - there are hundreds of different cultural and language groups spread across this continent. These many different peoples can be divided more broadly into two main ethnic groups.

* '''TorresStraitIslanders'''. Sadly, relatively unknown outside of Australia, and often forgotten even in the nation itself. Unlike Australian Aborigines, they are from the same broader ethnic group as the [[UsefulNotes/PapuaNewGuinea Papua New Guineans]]. They number about 20 thousand.

The term 'Indigenous Australians' was once the term of choice, but has recently come under criticism due to some descendants of the first European settlers feeling that, having been here for centuries, they have as much right to the label as anyone. First Australians have been here at least 70,000 years. This article shall only use the term 'Indigenous' to refer to First Australians.

Their place in Australian society has, over the last few decades, become one of massive controversy. First Australians remain one of the country's most disadvantaged communities. Amongst non-Indigenous, shame over historical (and in the views of some, more recent) mistreatment of the First Australians, still battles with the conviction that the disadvantage amongst many First Australian communities is regrettable, but no one else's responsibility. Recently, the former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, officially apologised for wrongs historically perpetrated by the Australian government.

One of the most famous songs ever written and sung about Australia, ''My Island Home'', came from the (mostly Indigenous) Warumpi Band. Its writer was Neil Murray, but the singer who catapulted it to incredible fame was Christine Anu, a Torres Strait Islander. The song is one of the most emotionally powerful songs to Australians, and some see it as an alternative to the national anthem. [[hottip:*:Another hugely popular alternative anthem is ''I Am/We Are Australian'' - as with everything, [[YourMileageMayVary their resonance is not absolutely universal]]. Unquestionably, however, they are cultural icons of the Australian nation.]]

One of the most famous songs ever written and sung about Australia, ''My Island Home'', was written by the Warumpi Band. Its writer was an Aboriginal Australian, but the singer who catapulted it to incredible fame was Christine Anu, a Torres Strait Islander. The song is one of the most emotionally powerful songs to Australians, and some see it as an alternative to the national anthem. [[hottip:*:Another hugely popular alternative anthem is ''I Am/We Are Australian'' - as with everything, [[YourMileageMayVary their resonance is not absolutely universal]]. Unquestionably, however, they are cultural icons of the Australian nation.]]

The term 'Indigenous Australians' was once the term of choice, but has recently come under criticism due to some descendants of the first European settlers feeling that, having been here for centuries, they have as much right to the label as anyone. First Australians have been here at least 40,000 years.

* ''Living Black'' is a current affairs show about First Australian issues. It is broadcast on {{SBS}}.

* '''AustralianAborigines''' - the ones everyone knows about, inventors of the didgeridoo and the boomerang, present throughout Australian art, music, and increasingly present in Australia's television and cinema. They number only half a million.