B.C.

65,000

Time before memory. Aboriginal society governed by customary laws handed down by the creative ancestors.

The spiritual narrative of the Dreaming is paralleled by the discoveries of archaeologists.

Some Aboriginal people believe that they have always been here, while some say their ancestors, like the Wandjina, came from across the sea. Others accept archaeological explanations that ancestors of contemporary Aboriginal people have been in Australia for at least 60,000 years, arriving by sea from Southern Asia through the islands of Indonesia to Australia and New Guinea.

A later series of voyages or migrations also took place 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, with the new arrivals bringing dingos, and possibly distinctive kinds of stone tools and different languages which may have influenced the languages in the north of Australia.

Within the last 120,000 years, sea levels have fallen and risen. About 18,000 years ago, when seas were at their lowest point, Australia was part of a bigger continent which we call Sahul, joined with New Guinea and Tasmania as one landmass. For much of the time people have lived here, sea levels were 20 to 60m lower than now, so that islands like Rottnest were part of the mainland. These islands were separated when the seas rose about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.

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A.D.

First significant European/Indigenous Australian Contact

1616

Dirk Hartog is the first European explorer to set foot on Western Australia, near Shark Bay.  Contact with Indigenous Australians is unconfirmed.

1770

Lieutenant James Cook raises the British flag at Possession Island off the tip of Cape York Peninsula and claims to take possession of the whole east coast of Australia. The British annexation of Indigenous Australia is based on the doctrine of terra nullius. In effect this doctrine states that Australia belongs to no-one i.e. Indigenous Australians had no concept of law or ownership, and have no rights to land. All indigenous rights are extinguished and no British citizenship rights granted. (However it is now recognised that in the 1830's the British Government accepted that Aboriginal people had some legal claim on the land).

1788

British occupation of Australia begins. Estimates put the Indigenous population at 750 000. Aboriginal resistance is immediate. Clashes are reported over next 10 years in Parramatta and Hawkesbury districts. The British Government's act of possession legislates Indigenous Australians as British subjects and marks the acquisition of sovereignty over Indigenous Australia.

For the first fifty years of the colony Indigenous Australians have no formal citizenship status. Indigenous Australians are given the title of Natives, and are deemed to be His Majesty's subjects. (This was the same for the colonists who were also deemed subjects. White male suffrage did not occur until 1858).

1804          

Two years after the British flag is raised in Van Dieman's land (Tasmania) settlers are given the authority to shoot Indigenous people

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European Settlement to present day

1829

British colonisation of Western Australia. Governor Stirling establishes the Swan River Colony. Aboriginal welfare becomes the direct responsibility of the Colonial Secretary.

1830

Aboriginal Protectors appointed

1832

The first Superintendent of Tribes, Captain Ellis, is appointed to assist the Colonial Secretary. (Captain Ellis died in 1834 from injuries received during his involvement in the Pinjarra massacre).

1834

Pinjarra massacre. Governor Stirling leads 25 mounted police against Indigenous Australians. Official records say 14 Pinjarra are killed. Pinjarra accounts suggest a whole tribe is wiped out in the attack.

1837

A British Parliamentary Select Committee examines the treatment of Indigenous people in all British colonies. Australian colonies are particularly criticised for the practice of genocide.

1838

Rottnest Island Aboriginal prison established

1840

Colonial Government issues the direction that Aboriginal people are not to be admitted to towns.

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1854

Role of Protectors temporarily abolished

1868

An estimated 150 Indigenous people are killed while resisting arrest at Nickol Bay in the Kimberley.  The incident comes to be known as the Flying Foam Massacre.  In the same year, Australia’s first overseas cricket tour leaves for England – the entire team is made up of Indigenous Australians.

1883

Royal Commission established to inquire into the treatment of Aboriginal prisoners - the Forrest Report

1886

Aborigines Protection Board established under the Aborigines Protection Act to provide Aboriginal people with food and clothing when destitute, education for Aboriginal children and assistance in the preservation and well-being of Aboriginal people as a whole.  However, the board can also remove Indigenous children from their families as part of a policy known as “resocialization”.

1889

Section 70 introduced into the Constitution providing for 1% of gross revenue to be "appropriated to the welfare of the Aboriginal natives".

1890

Self-Governance for Western Australia with the British government maintaining control over Aboriginal affairs.

1893

Western Australian law denies the vote to Indigenous people.

1897

Queensland Aboriginal Protection Legislation prohibited Aboriginal people from drinking alcohol or living outside reserves – becomes model for future State and Federal legislation

1898

Abolition of the Aborigines Protection Board and establishment of the Aborigines Department under a ‘Chief Protector of Aboriginals’ responsible to the Premier.

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1901-1948

Legislation passed in all Australian States controlling the movement, marriage and employment of Aboriginal people and authorised the removal of children from Aboriginal families.

1902

Commonwealth Franchise Act excludes Aboriginal people from the right to vote.

1903

Rottnest Island Aboriginal prison is closed

1904

A Royal Commission into Aboriginal matters headed by Dr W E Roth, investigates the administration of the ‘Aborigines Department’, the employment of Aboriginal people, the Aboriginal police system (Police Protectors), the treatment of Aboriginal prisoners and the distribution of relief. - The report found many abuses of the rights of Aboriginal people and recommended better protection through stricter controls.

1905

The Aborigines Act is brought in on the suggestions of Royal Commission. The Act legalised the removal of Aboriginal children from their natural families; encouraged the establishment of reserves and missions; and introduced many other restrictions on the rights of freedom and movement of Aboriginal people.  The Chief Protector of Aborigines in WA is made the legal guardian of every West Australian Indigenous person under 16.

1908

Royal Commission to inquire into the treatment of ‘Natives’ by the Canning Exploration Party.  The Invalid and Old Age Pension Act prevents Indigenous people from obtaining pensions.

1909

Indigenous people are barred from employment at the Post Office or in the Defence Forces.

1912

The Maternity Act prevents Indigenous women from receiving the maternity allowance.

1915

Appointment of Mr Auber Octavius Neville as Chief Protector of Aboriginal people. Neville was in charge of the various departments responsible for Aboriginal Affairs until his retirement in 1940.

1918

Moore River Native Settlement in WA opened

1925

Natives of British India gain the vote in Australian Federal elections

1926

The ‘Aborigines Department’ is re-established, becoming responsible for Aboriginal matters throughout the State.

1927

The Royal Commission into the Killings and Burning of Bodies of Aboriginal people in East Kimberley, conducted by Mr G T Wood, resulted from public outcry over the 1926 Forrest River Massacre.

1931

Three young girls escape from Moore River Government Settlement and walk 1000 kilometres to their home in Jigalong, evading both Police and Trackers. Their story is depicted in the 2002 Australian film, The Rabbit Proof Fence.

1934

Royal Commission into Aboriginal Affairs under Mr M D Mosely SM investigates the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people; the law relating to Aboriginal people; the administration of the ‘Aborigines Department’; and the specific allegations of ill-treatment of Aboriginal people.

1936

As a result of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Aborigines Act was amended and became the Native Administration Act (1936). The ‘Aborigines Department’ became the ‘Department of Native Affairs’ under a ‘Commissioner for Native Affairs’.

This new Act included recommendations from the Royal Commission which put Aboriginal people under even greater restriction, for example, penalties for actions which were not an offence for non-Aboriginal people; the placement of Aboriginal children under the guardianship of the Commissioner; and the start of a permit system for entry into some towns or to gain employment.

1937

First conference of Commonwealth and State bodies concerned with Aboriginal matters is held in Canberra.

1940s

Professor AP Ekin, the Aborigines Friend Association and others agitate for better conditions for Indigenous people and for their right to vote.

1941

Commonwealth Child Endowment payment extended to children of 'detribalised' parents.

1943

Commonwealth invalid and old age pensions and maternity allowance extended to Aboriginal people holding 'Exemption Certificates'.

1944

Natives (Citizenship Rights) Act gives limited rights to Aboriginal people who could prove, among other things, that they has adopted a "civilised life" and did not associate with Aboriginal people who did not have citizenship rights. This 'citizenship' could be withdrawn at any time.

Commonwealth Unemployment and Sickness Benefits extended to "detribalised natives" living in European conditions.

1946

First Aboriginal pastoral workers strike in the Pilbara.

1947

Mr F Bateman SM appointed to survey Aboriginal conditions in Western Australia. The Bateman report exposed the deplorable living conditions suffered by the Aboriginal population and supported the repealing of past ‘protective measures’ in favour of a long-term policy of positive welfare. It also supported the assimilation of Aboriginal people into the general community.

The report resulted in the decentralisation of the ‘Aborigines Department’, and the appointment of field officers to deal directly with Aboriginal people and at the same time to reduce the Department's dependence on Police Protectors.

1948

Nationality and Citizenship Act establishes that all Australian-born people are citizens of Australia rather than British subjects.

1949

The right to vote in Federal elections is extended to Indigenous people who have served in the armed forces, or who are enrolled to vote in State elections. Indigenous people in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory still cannot vote in State/Territory elections.

1951

At the Third Commonwealth-State Native Welfare Conference, Canberra formally adopts a policy of assimilation in regards to Indigenous Australians ... "assimilation means that, in the course of time, it is expected that all persons of 'aboriginal blood' or 'mixed blood' in Australia will live like other white Australians do."

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1953

Indigenous Scientist and inventor David Unaipon awarded the Coronation medal.

1954

Native Administration Act replaced by the Native Welfare Act to repeal previous policy of strict controls and handouts contained in that Act. The Department's name is also changed to the ‘Department of Native Welfare’.

1957

Under the Northern Territory Welfare Ordinance, almost all Indigenous people are declared wards of the State and denied the vote.

First ‘NAIDOC’ (National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee) Day of celebration is held.

1958

A Federal Council for the ‘Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders’ is established.

1960

Social Service benefits are paid directly to Indigenous Australians for the first time.

1962

Indigenous man Percy Hobson wins gold medal for the high jump at the Commonwealth games in Perth.

Aboriginal people became eligible to vote, although voting is not compulsory.

1963

Slow but progressive liberalisation of the regulations affecting Aboriginal people culminates in the amendment of the Native Welfare Act - where the last restrictive provisions are removed. Some places in the North West, however, were still entitled to restrict the movements of Aboriginal people and to refuse to supply liquor. (These clauses were repealed in 1972.)

1965

Queensland allows Indigenous people to vote in State elections.

1966

Aboriginal stockmen led by Vincent Lingiari walk off Wave Hill station in WA and found the ‘Wattie Creek station.’

1967

A Commonwealth Referendum is held. Aboriginal people first granted citizenship rights. Commonwealth Government is also given the power to legislate in relation to Aboriginal matters.

Federal voting right extended to include all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians.

Referendum gives the Commonwealth power to legislate with regard to Aboriginal people and to include them in the census.

1968

Federal Pastoral Industry Award amendment is sanctioned, theoretically allowing for equal wages for equal work.

‘Australian Aboriginal Affairs Council’ (AAAC), comprising Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for Aboriginal Affairs is formed.

1969

Aboriginal Welfare Board abolished

1971

Aboriginal flag is introduced.

Neville Bonner (Liberal) is selected to fill a casual vacancy in the Senate for Queensland.

1972

Department of Aboriginal Affairs (now Department of Indigenous Affairs) is established.

Federal Labor government of Gough Whitlam adopts self-determination as the official government policy in Indigenous Affairs.  “White Australia” policy officially abandoned.

Repeal of the Native Welfare Act and the enactment of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (AAPA) Act. The Department of Native Welfare is abolished and replaced by the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority, with some of its functions taken over by the newly created Department of Community Welfare. Rather than having a single department with over-riding responsibilities, housing, health, education employment and welfare programs were channelled to departments such as the State Housing Commission and the Public Health Department.

The Authority was established to retain the policy planning, co-ordination, Ministerial advice and land management roles of the defunct Native Welfare Department. In addition, it provided administrative support to three statutory bodies: the Aboriginal Lands Trust, the Aboriginal Advisory Council and the Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee. For the first time a statutory mechanism was in place for Aboriginal people to be involved in the government decision making process.

The Aboriginal Heritage Act was also brought in giving the WA Museum, through the Department of Aboriginal Sites, the responsibility to protect places and objects of significance to Aboriginal people.

Neville Bonner elected to Senate by Queensland voters, becoming the first indigenous person to be elected to any Australian parliament.

1973

A Royal Commission headed by Mr L C Furnell QC inquired into all matters affecting the well-being of Aboriginal people in Western Australia. The report recommended that the most desirable policy towards Aboriginal people would be to preserve tribal Aboriginal identity as much as possible whilst also assisting with the integration of non-tribal Aboriginal people.

The report supported existing policy of consultation with ‘Aboriginal’ involvement in decision making so that Aboriginal communities could be self managing and able to choose their own way of living.

First national elections for Indigenous people, to elect 41 members of the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC).

Aboriginal Land Rights Commission is established

1974

The Federal Labor Government announces its intention of taking on greater responsibility in Aboriginal affairs throughout Australia.

As a consequence, following discussions with the Western Australian Government, the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority AAPA Act was amended and a merger took place between the Authority and the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA). The Commonwealth became responsible for the administration of the AAPA Act.

1975

Racial Discrimination Act guarantees the right of every Australian, regardless of race, to equal treatment before the law extending voting, freedom of movement, property ownership, education and right of access privileges

1976

Laverton Royal Commission inquired into the 'Skull Creek Incident' between Aboriginal people and police. The Commission concluded that no-one involved acted improperly despite allegations of assault made by Aboriginal people and "unsatisfactory evidence " from police.

1977

National Aboriginal Conference (NAC) established as a result of a restructure of the NACC. This established the first Aboriginal elected body with direct access to government.

1978

Kimberley Land Council established

1979

Aboriginal Communities Act was proclaimed, allowing certain Aboriginal communities to manage and control community affairs.

Australian Electoral Commission begins the Aboriginal Electoral Education Program.

1980

Ernie Bridge (ALP) becomes the first Aboriginal member of the Parliament of Western Australia when he is elected to represent the electorate of Kimberley. He later becomes the first Indigenous person to hold ministerial office.

First ‘Aboriginal’ appearance in a United Nations Forum.

WA Government and CSR support Amax Mining who enter Noonkanbah community and drill into Ngarranggari sacred site.

The Aboriginal Heritage Act was amended in 1980 in response to uncertainty and disputes (particularly at Noonkanbah), which had occurred in recent years over ‘Aboriginal sites’. The amendments tightened the definition of an Aboriginal site, removed a penalty provision and gave the responsible Minister the power to give approval to disturb an Aboriginal site.

Mobile polling first used in remote areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia for State/Territory elections.

1982

The Mabo Native Title case begins

1983

Newly elected State Labor Government starts the Aboriginal Land Inquiry, headed by Mr Paul Seaman, Q.C. The inquiry is established to make recommendations to the Government "for a scheme of legislation for land related measures for the benefit of Aboriginal people" in Western Australia.

1984

The AAPA becomes independent of the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Report of the Aboriginal Land Inquiry is submitted to the Government.

Walimpirrgna Tjapaljarri and his group of 8 are brought from the desert, reunited with their family and taken to Kiwirrkura in WA.

Compulsory enrolment and voting in Commonwealth elections for Indigenous people comes into effect.

1985

Department of Aboriginal Affairs commissions a report surveying Australian’s reaction to land rights for Aboriginal people. Support is shown to be low.

The Aboriginal Land Bill is presented to State Parliament and defeated in the Legislative Council.

The National Aboriginal Conference is disbanded.

1986

A separate Aboriginal Affairs portfolio is created in Western Australia. The Hon Ernie Bridge, MLA, becomes the first Aboriginal Member of Parliament to be appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Ms Sue Lundberg is appointed Commissioner for Aboriginal Planning, thereby becoming the first Aboriginal person to head a State Department in Western Australia.

1987

16 October 1987 the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is established by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The Commission investigated the deaths of 99 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the custody of police, in prison or in juvenile detention institutions between 1 January 1980 and 31 May 1989.

The State Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs, Police and Corrective services establish an Interim Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in Western Australia.

Commonwealth Government launched the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy to assist Aboriginal people achieve equity with other Australians in terms of employment and economic status. The policy aimed to promote Aboriginal economic independence from Government and to reduce Aboriginal dependency on welfare in accordance with their traditions, chosen way of life and cultural identity.

The Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs and Health co-chaired the first national meeting of a joint Ministerial Forum on Aboriginal Health.

1988

Australia's representative to the United Nations Human Rights Committee acknowledges: "public policy regarding the care of Aboriginal children, particularly during the post-war period, had been a serious mistake". Thousands of Indigenous people and supporters march through the streets of Sydney to celebrate survival on the Bicentennial of British colonisation of Australia.

1989

Royal Commission appoints Patrick Dodson as Commissioner for Western Australia to consider "underlying issues" for Aboriginal deaths in custody.

The National Aboriginal Health Strategy finalised in March.

1990

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) established with Lowitcha O’Donoghue as its Chair.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) commenced official operation on 5 March.

Inquiry into Service and Resource Provision to Remote Communities conducted by Mr Peter Alexander examined the delivery of services in remote areas.

1991

Final 'Alexander Report' presented to State Government. The report highlighted the need to improve communication systems for remote communities and made a number of recommendations aimed at improving planning and co-ordination for better safety in remote and emergency situations.

The final Report of The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was tabled in State and Federal Parliaments. The Royal Commission made 339 recommendations aimed largely at addressing the disadvantaged position of Aboriginal people in society which the Commission found to be the most significant factor contributing to the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system and the principle reason for the large number of Aboriginal deaths in custody.  It was found that of the 99 deaths investigated, 43 were of people who had been separated from their families as children. 

The Royal Commission stressed the need to empower Aboriginal society and Aboriginal people's right to self-determination. A special Royal Commission Cabinet Sub-Committee was announced by the State Government.

In August 1991, both houses of Federal Parliament unanimously passed the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act establishing a Council of 25 members.

1992

On 3 June 1992 the High Court handed down its decision in the Mabo v. Queensland case. The decision rejected the doctrine that Australia was 'terra nullius' (land belonging to no-one) at the time of settlement with its implication that absolute ownership of land at that time vested in the Crown. Instead, the Court held that the common law of Australia recognises a form of traditional native title.

31 March 1992 Commonwealth and State Governments tabled a cooperative National Response and individual State responses to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The State Government indicated its full, qualified or in principle support to all 339 recommendations.

An Aboriginal Women's Task force was formed as a reference group to the Aboriginal Advisory Council to provide advice to the Authority and to the Minister on matters affecting Aboriginal women and families.

Also in December 1992, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed a National Commitment to Improved Outcomes in the Delivery of Programs and Services for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. The major purpose of the National Commitment was to provide a framework for co-ordinated intergovernmental action to redress Aboriginal inequality and disadvantage.

Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating makes a significant apology to the Australian Aboriginal people at Australia’s launch of the ‘International Year of the World’s Indigenous People’ at Redfern Park in NSW.

1993

In April the Aboriginal plan 1993 was published by the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (AAPA) and released by the Coalition Government under Premier Richard Court and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs the Hon Kevin Minson. This was the first time that a plan had been produced providing a clear statement of State Government programs in Aboriginal affairs, listing the departments responsible for them, and the financial resources provided for their implementation.

ATSIC legislation was amended in June and provided for a reduction in the number of Regional Councils from 60 to 36 and for Council chairpersons to be appointed on a full-time basis.

In the Social Justice Task Force (SJTF) was established in August to review activities of Government in relation to social conditions and the advancement of Aboriginal people.

The Land (Titles and Traditional Usage) Act came into force on 2 December. The Act replaced native title with rights of traditional usage of Crown land and provided for a system of objection, appeal and/or compensation if those traditional usage rights were extinguished or interfered with through the granting of other forms of title to land.

In December the Implementation report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was tabled in State Parliament. Western Australia is the only government to date that has tabled a formal and detailed progress report on the implementation of the Royal Commission's recommendations.

1994

In April the Report of the Task Force on Aboriginal Social Justice (known as the ‘Daub Report’) was presented to the Government. The major issues considered and recommendations developed by the Task Force can be categorised into three themes:

• Better management
• Better lives
• Better community support

On 1 November the Aboriginal Affairs Department was created in response to the recommendations of the Premiers’ Task Force on Aboriginal Social Justice. It incorporated the roles of the former Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority, the Department of Aboriginal Sites and Office of Traditional Land Use.

1995

On March 16, the High Court of Australia handed down its decision on Native Title. As a result of this decision the provisions of the WA Land (Titles and Traditional Usage) Act and sections of the Mining and Land Acts relating to the rights of traditional usage became inoperative. Land and mining titles over most of WA were now processed through the Federal Tribunal system.

In June, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) launched its Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families.

The Commission of Elders was established with representatives drawn from each of the seven regions. The AAD gives secretariat support and assistance to the Elders.

The process of setting up regional Aboriginal Justice Councils commenced. The first ones were established in the Pilbara, the Metropolitan region, the Goldfields and the Murchison / Gascoyne.

National Inquiry launched to investigate the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.

1996

In December the Wik High Court judgement was handed down. Four of the seven judges held that a pastoral lease did not necessarily extinguish native title – that in some cases some native title rights can survive the grant of the lease.

1997

In May the HREOC Inquiry brought down its findings in its report Bringing Them Home: a guide to the findings and recommendations of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Immediately following the release of the report, the Premier on behalf of the State and Parliament formally offered an apology to Aboriginal people affected by past Government policies and practices for the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and communities. The report recommended a formal national public apology.

‘Fountain of Tears’ unveiled by Dr Loitja O’Donoghue – a memorial to the ‘stolen generation’ created by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists on the site of what was once Colebrook training Home.

1998

In March the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody 1997 Implementation Report was presented to Government.

May 26^th

Sorry Day. Exactly one year to the day since the tabling in Parliament of the HREOC report in addition to being the 30th Anniversary of the Referendum.

1999

Australian Prime Minister John Howard passes a formal motion of reconciliation.

In June the Aboriginal Justice Council (AJC) released its 1998 Monitoring Report ‘Our Mob Our Justice: Keeping the vision alive’ on the Implementations of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in WA.

In December the remote Kimberley Community of Pandanus Park made history when it became the first reserve to be handed over under the State Government’s Land Transfer Program.

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2000

In January The Aboriginal Affairs Department (AAD) released its Five Year Business plan ‘Delivering better outcomes for Aboriginal people.’

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Eastern Guruma people and Hamersley Iron was signed on future mining activities that protect Aboriginal culture in the region.

In August WA’s first Stolen Generation conference Healing Within was held in Geraldton and attended be people from all over the state.

In December the dedication took place in Kings Park of Australia’s first State war memorial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In February Labor gained power and newly elected Kimberley Labor MLA Carol Martin became the first Aboriginal woman in the WA Parliament.

In July DIA launched the video “My body belongs to me” which was prepared by a group of Aboriginal women and men from across W.A. The video is designed to help raise awareness of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities.

In September the Yungngora people were presented with the deeds to the 260 ha of freehold land. The Noonkanbah pastoral lease is the first freehold property in the West Kimberley to be handed over under the State Government’s Land transfer program.

A statement of commitment to a new and just relationship between the Government of Western Australian and Aboriginal Western Australians was signed.

2001

In June the Tindale Journals, significant historical records collected by the late Norman Tindale, were returned to their rightful owners. These journals date back to the beginning of last century. They are housed in the DIA Family History Unit.

The City of Albany Aboriginal Accord was launched by Indigenous Affairs Minister Alan Carpenter. This was a first of its kind between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Communities.

WA’s largest Indigenous group the Noongar people, lodged The Single Noongar Native Title Claim in the Federal Court.

The Indigenous Women’s Congress was formed to facilitate a greater participation of Indigenous women in government decision making. This is made up of 11 members from across the state.

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