Aboriginality And Land

Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal of the Australia Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Stait Islander Studies.
This  journal is published bi-annually and contains a wealth of information on many topics. It often has articles on land rights issues, including how Aboriginal people are responding to issues in their communities. 

Indigenous Law Bulletin Indigenous Law Centre Faculty of Law, UNSW, Sydney.
Nine of these bulletins are published each year. Each contains excellent information on legal issues affecting Aboriginal people and relates these to specific communities. Native Title and Land Rights issues are regular topics of articles.

Bludgers in Grass Castles. Mark Taylor, Resistance Books, 1997. 
This is a hard-hitting look at the pastoral industry in Australia and how it has exploited Aboriginal people. It highlights the contribution of Aboriginal people to the pastoral industry and expresses  that  the  industry has not repaid its debt to them.   

Native Title and Wik: The Reality. Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR)
An informative publication which sets out in simple terms to explain the history behind land issues in Australia and decisions which have impacted on land rights, such as Mabo and the Native Title Act. Easy to follow, clear and concise explanations.

Native Title, Facts, Fallacies and the Future Symposium Papers.
This is a collection of papers recording the speeches given by various people at a symposium held at UNSW in 1998. Although very difficult to obtain, it is worth a search, as the collections gives the points of view and concerns of various industries to native title and how each industry is dealing with the issues, as well as the response of Aboriginal people to these concerns.  

Indigenous People and the Law in Australia.  Chris Cunneen & Terry Libesman, Butterworths, 1995. 
Although this is primarily a Legal Studies text, it gives excellent background on many Aboriginal issues and how the law impacts on them. In regards to the issue of land, there are several chapters covering land ownership, Mabo native title and land rights legislation. Unfortunately, it was published pre-Wik, but is still well worth investigating.

Massacres to Mining  The Colonisation of Aboriginal Australia. Jan Roberts, Dove Communications, 1981. 
This text is a good source if you are researching the impact of the mining and pastoral  industries on Aboriginal communities and how Aboriginals have responded. It contains information on the famous Yirrakalaand Gurindji  land rights cases and information on the impact of industry (especially mining) on many Aboriginal communities. 

 Aboriginal Sovereignty.  Henry Reynolds, Allen and Unwin 1996.
Henry Reynolds is regarded as the foremost authority on aspects of our legal history which impact on current land rights issues. This book explores the history of Australia as a relationship between sovereigns (Aboriginal people and the British) Well worth reading if you wish to explore the history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations in depth.

The Law of the Land.  Henry Reynolds, Penguin 1987. 
Good background reading to the present day issues surrounding native title. This book challenges many of the facts surrounding the British occupation of Australia

Mabo: The Native Title Legislation. (ed.) M.A.Stephenson, University of Queensland Press, 1995.
A set of essays written by a variety of participants giving the background and possible ramifications of Mabo. Very informative. This publication is for those who want to look at Mabo in depth.

Aboriginal Self- Determination in Australia. (ed.) Christine Fletcher. Aboriginal Studies Press, 1994.
This is a compilation of speeches given at an Indigenous Peoplesí Conference in 1993 in Queensland. Each speaker looks at an Aboriginal issues and the difficulties and  the changes needed for  self-determination to truly be forthcoming. Some excellent insights and perceptions are expressed. Highly recommended.

Aborigines and Political Power. Scott Bennett, Allen and Unwin, 1989.
This book traces the efforts of Aboriginal people to have an influence in political decisions in Australia. It examines the Australian political system and notes those parts of that system which have both assisted and resisted Aboriginal peoplesí attempts at equity. Although a very wordy book it is worth reading if you wish to explore the politics behind many of the issues affecting Aboriginal people.

Wik,The Law and the Land. ABC 1997. 
This Four Corners program explores the impact of the Wik decision on pastoralists and miners in Queensland and the differing opinions of those affected on the best way to deal with the situation. Well researched and informative.

An Act of Justice.
Outlines the history of the Mabo decision and the Native Title Act. Some background information on Eddie Mabo and his application to the High Court. The video is only ten minutes long, so is very general but it gives a good overview of the issues.

From Wave Hill to Wik and Beyond. VEA Publications. 
This video traces the struggle for land rights from the 60s onwards. It looks at historical events such as the Gurindji strike as well as the latest land rights developments. It also includes information on the governmentís responses to land rights issues.

Websites

World Socialist Website
This website gives a point of view which is anything but mainstream! If you would like to explore alternative points of view on issues such as native title and Reconciliation, this may be the answer. 

 AIATSIS Native Title Unit Website
Provides some interesting information on specific native title claims and decisions, and general native title issues.

Sydney Morning Herald
The Age
Both websites offer an archival search service, where you are able to tap into articles printed in the individual papers on any topic. A very useful service to connect with the latest information.  

Summary of Supreme Court Case: Mason vs Tritton and Amor
Although this requires some patience in "wading through" information that may not be of use, it is worth visiting because it deals with a court case involving the issues of Indigenous rights to the sea and information on this aspect of native title is not easily obtainable.