Reconciliation and Social Justice Library

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

Native Title Report January - June 1994

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

27 April 1995

The Hon. Robert Tickner, M.P.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Minister

I am pleased to present my first report regarding the operation of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and its effect on the exercise and enjoyment of the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as required by s.209 of the Native Title Act.

The report covers the period from the date of the commencement of the Act, 1 January 1994, to 30 June 1994.

Yours sincerely

Michael Dodson

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

The land is my backbone ... I only stand straight, happy, proud and not ashamed about my colour because I still have land. I can paint, dance, create and sing as my ancestors did before me.

I think of land as the history of my nation. It tells of how we came into being and what system we must live. My great ancestors who live in the times of history, planned everything that we practise now. The law of history says that we must not take land, fight over land, steal land, give land and so on. My land is mine only because I came in spirit from that land, and so did my ancestors of the same land ... My land, is my foundation.

Galarrwuy Yunupingu

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Recognition: The Way Forward