Mabo Day (AU)

Mabo Day, every June 3rd, celebrates Eddie Koiki Mabo and his win against the outdated idea of ‘terra nullius,’ which stated that Australia was ‘nobody’s land’ before the British arrived. Eddie fought to get the courts to recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always had a deep connection to their land. His determination led to a historic court decision that shifted how Australia sees land rights


Thanks to Eddie, the Native Title Act came into being in 1993, laying down the law for Indigenous Australians to claim their land rights. But Mabo Day isn’t just about looking back. It celebrates the ongoing spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who fight to maintain their connection to Country. Though Eddie died before the Act passed, his legacy remains. In a touching tribute, a star now bears his name – a symbol of his light guiding the path toward equality.


Relevant Hashtags: #MaboDay


Learn More: indigenous.gov.au/stories/what-mabo-day