issues for Aboriginal spiritualities in relation to land rights.

Question 1

What happened in the Mabo Case? (1992)

Answer 1

• Took Govt. to court, lost the case.

- He wanted the rights of the land of the Merriam people that the Government took away.

Question 2

What were the results of the Mabo case? (1992)

Answer 2

• He won the land rights, under the circumstances that a continuous connection to the land was observed.
• Overthrew concept of Tera Nullius.

Question 3

What did Mabo case victory mean for the land rights movement?

Answer 3

• Terra Nullius ruling overturned.
• Legacy that Native Title exists under Australian Law.
• Allowed for Aboriginal people to legally claim ownership of land and water, given that they could demonstrate continued connection through Dreaming, Totems and sacred sites.

Question 4

What happened in the Native Title act? (1993)

Answer 4

• Covers 40% of government land, leaseholder would override that of the native title holder.
• Demonstrated favored over the leaseholder due to pressure from farmer and mining industries.
• Native Title act recognized existence of native title.
• Native title could only be claimed for vacant or leased government owned land.

Question 5

What were the effects of NAtive title act?

Answer 5

Assisted aboriginal groups to gain economic and social independence.

• However, connection to land was difficult to prove as aboriginal records were almost always spoken.

Question 6

What happened in the Wik Case of 1996?

Answer 6

• Pastoralists were concerned by property that they were leased by the government and thus complained.

Question 7

What were the results of the Wik case of 1996?

Answer 7

• Native title could co-exist with pastoral leases.
• Allowed access to sacred sites.
• Amendment to the Native title act.