1. WHAT IS THE TENT EMBASSY?
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy refers to the site where on the 26th of January 1972, four Aboriginal activists set up a beach umbrella outside the Parliament House in Canberra, planting a sign that read “Aboriginal Embassy.” This was a powerful symbol as the term 'embassy' suggested that the Indigenous people were foreigners in their own country and were landless. Many people from around Australia joined the protest, and the supporters of the embassy grew to 2000 over the following months.
2. WHAT WERE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE TENT EMBASSY?
The Aboriginal Embassy was set up to protest the McMahon government's refusal to recognise Aboriginal land rights. The main aim was to achieve sympathy and support from the public and to eventually pressure the government to acknowledge Aboriginal land rights. The image also conveyed to people how Aboriginals felt isolated in their own country, and that the tents poverty was a contrast to the embassy of other groups.
3. WHAT WERE THE METHODS USED TO ACHIEVE THE AIMS?
The method was to find a prominent place in the public eye and near the place of government, choose a powerful symbol and be prepared to wait for as long as it took. The non-violent protest was simple but effective.
4. WHO WERE THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN LEADING THE TENT EMBASSY?
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy refers to the site where on the 26th of January 1972, four Aboriginal activists set up a beach umbrella outside the Parliament House in Canberra, planting a sign that read “Aboriginal Embassy.” This was a powerful symbol as the term 'embassy' suggested that the Indigenous people were foreigners in their own country and were landless. Many people from around Australia joined the protest, and the supporters of the embassy grew to 2000 over the following months.
2. WHAT WERE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE TENT EMBASSY?
The Aboriginal Embassy was set up to protest the McMahon government's refusal to recognise Aboriginal land rights. The main aim was to achieve sympathy and support from the public and to eventually pressure the government to acknowledge Aboriginal land rights. The image also conveyed to people how Aboriginals felt isolated in their own country, and that the tents poverty was a contrast to the embassy of other groups.
3. WHAT WERE THE METHODS USED TO ACHIEVE THE AIMS?
The method was to find a prominent place in the public eye and near the place of government, choose a powerful symbol and be prepared to wait for as long as it took. The non-violent protest was simple but effective.
4. WHO WERE THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN LEADING THE TENT EMBASSY?
The four Aboriginal men who set up the protest were Michael Anderson from Walgett, Billy Craigie from Moree, Bert Williams from Cowra, and Tony Coorey from Tweed Heads.
Other black activists such as Gordon Briscoe, Paul Coe, Chicka Dixon, Gary Foley, Bruce McGuinness, John Newfong, Roberta Sykes and Dennis Walker and non-indigenous supporters also joined them in the following months.
5. HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THIS IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS?
The protest didn’t result in achieving Aboriginal land rights, as it wasn’t until Gough Whitlam's government that Aboriginal Land Title was recognised. However, this protest was important in the Rights and Freedoms movement as it raised awareness of the issue to the public eye and garnered sympathy and support.
6. EXPLAIN HOW USEFUL YOUR CHOSEN PRIMARY SOURCE WAS IN FINDING OUT ABOUT THE TOPIC.
Other black activists such as Gordon Briscoe, Paul Coe, Chicka Dixon, Gary Foley, Bruce McGuinness, John Newfong, Roberta Sykes and Dennis Walker and non-indigenous supporters also joined them in the following months.
5. HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THIS IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS?
The protest didn’t result in achieving Aboriginal land rights, as it wasn’t until Gough Whitlam's government that Aboriginal Land Title was recognised. However, this protest was important in the Rights and Freedoms movement as it raised awareness of the issue to the public eye and garnered sympathy and support.
6. EXPLAIN HOW USEFUL YOUR CHOSEN PRIMARY SOURCE WAS IN FINDING OUT ABOUT THE TOPIC.
The primary source I have chosen is an image of people gathered at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra. The focal point is Alan Sharpley holding a placard that reads “We want land rights, not handouts”. Next to him is Bob Perry in a Ningla-a-Na T-shirt, which is a Pitjantjatjara expression that translates to 'we are hungry for our land'. John Newfong is standing to his right with his hands on his hips. This image is important in finding out about the topic as it shows the impact the Embassy was having, evidenced by the crowd of supporters made up of indigenous and non-indigenous people. The simplicity of the sign and tent also emphasises the poverty and juxtaposition to the grandeur of the Old Parliament House the tent is next to.