| January
26 |
The
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 becomes law.
John Toohey, a Western Australian QC, is appointed the first Aboriginal
Land Commissioner in August.
The
granting of land rights to Aboriginals recognises not only the justice
of prior claims to ownership, it also recognises the validity of
Aboriginal traditional law and cultural values. It will provide
for the Aboriginal people a land base for future social advancement
according to their own cultural values and their own aspirations
and importantly, in their own time. What we require now is the goodwill
of the people of Australia to make this legislation work. White
Australians are not unaware of their own attachment to the soil.
To Aboriginals it is more. It is their very life, the source not
only of their spirit but of the place to which their spirit must
return. They are indivisible with their land. It is life itself.
It is the force that has enabled them to survive for 40,000 years.
It has been the strength of their fight - now won - for their birthright.
Ian
Viner, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in the Fraser Government,
at the proclamation of the Land Rights Act, 26 January 1977
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