1938 Day of Mourning Flashcards
When was the Day Of Mourning?
26th of January, 1938 - 150th Anniversary of day Captain Arthur Phillip planted the British flag to Port Jackson (Australia Day)
What was the Day of Mourning?
Denied access to Sydney Town Hall, Indigenous activists and community members walked in silent protest to AUstralia Hall, via backdoor.
White population - day of celebrating
Indigenous Aus - Day of Mourning
Who led the silent protest?
William Cooper and Jack Pattern
What did Jack and William do in the months leading up to protest?
visited missions and reserves to gain support.
What was the purpose of the day of mourning?
Protest against the brutal treatment of indigenous people by Aboriginal Protection Board, unfair removal of children from reserves, need for equal rights
How did the day end?
Walk to La Perouse, original landing spot of first fleet, released funeral wreaths to sea, to make death of Aboriginal culture, amount of deaths caused by the invasion/injustice of white people.
Who did Jack Pattern also work with and why?
William Ferguson, founder of APA (Aboriginal Progressive Association) to put together a 12page document, “ABoriginal Claim Citizenship rights”, which ran in many national newspapers
What was the significance of Day of Mourning?
It was the first national Aboriginal civil rights gathering and represents the identifiable beginning of the contemporary Aboriginal political movement. The Australian Hall, by association, became extremely significant to Indigenous heritage, and is now listed on the National Register of heritage places.
What was the outcome of this protest?
a turning point in the evolution of a national struggle by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gain the same rights as those held by all other Australians.
