First Australians

First Nations art on a purple background

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property

We have developed an Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Protocol to guide people on how to access and use ICIP in our collections.

First Australians

Three pieces of ephemera from the 2023 Referendum

A selection of publicly donated referendum items in our collection.

Collecting the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

The National Library of Australia is calling on all Australians to help collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Media release

A black and white photo of a man playing a guitar on a boat

Frank Hurley, A diver entertains while on his way to the fishing grounds, 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157724827

Torres Strait Islands collection research guide

Highlights collection items in our catalogue from the 5 major island clusters in the Torres Straits Region.

First Australians

Research guide

A black and white photo showing how two half shells and the round pieces cut out of them

Frank Hurley, [Cut shell] showing the method of cutting shells commercially, 1921, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149364077

Torres Strait Islander conservation

Module

Engaging students with a rich selection of sources and challenges them to draw their own conclusions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ approaches to custodial responsibility and environmental management in different regions of Australia.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

A campaign poster for the 1967 Australian referendum, featuring a close-up photograph of a young Aboriginal child with a serious expression. The text on the poster reads: 'YES for Aborigines. Write YES for Aborigines in the lower square. May 27th. Authorized by Faith Bandler, 13 Kens Road, Frenchs Forest.'

Faith Bandler and Jerry Rind, Yes for Aborigines : write yes for Aborigines in the lower square May 27th, 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136875607

The 1967 Referendum

Module

This resource is aligned with the Australian Curriculum: History for Year 10 students. It engages students with a rich selection of sources and challenges them to draw their own conclusions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ struggle for civil rights in Australia.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

Strangers on Country

David Hartley and Kirsty Murray. Illustrated by Dub Leffler

Book

First Australians

NLA Publishing book

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue sitting in an armchair and smiling

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, image by Leanna King, courtesy of the Lowitja Institute

Speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue now available online

The Library has recently digitised the speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.

News article

Sorry Day

Coral Vass and Dub Leffler

Book

First Australians

NLA Publishing book

Read Collection

Oral history interviews with Charles Perkins, a key figure in Aboriginal rights, alongside a pilot project on how people form mental maps. It also includes ongoing interviews for the 'Seven Years On' project, launched in 1995, which focuses on emerging Aboriginal leaders. This collection offers valuable insights into Aboriginal activism, leadership, and personal stories that have shaped history.

Collection guide

First Australians

An oval shaped bronze medal. The oval is made of a belt buckled at the bottom. At the top is a stylised royal crown. In the centre of the oval is a monogram made up of an intertwined "V.A." Behind the monogram is pattered red glass. Around the oval in raised letters are the words 'For gallantry in saving life on land'. The medal is held by a ribbon of red and white vertical stripes

(1912). Albert Medal presented to Aya-I-Ga, also known as Neighbour, for gallantry, 1911 [realia], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139608611

Neighbour and his bravery

Topic

The National Library of Australia’s collection includes the Albert Medal awarded to Aya-I-Ga, known as Neighbour, for gallantry.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

Four framed pictures hanging on a wall that has an image of an island on it.

Mabo v Queensland (No. 2): 30th Anniversary

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mabo decision, the Library invited Gail Mabo, Eddie’s daughter, to select material for display to mark this landmark moment in Australian legal history.

Exhibition

First Australians

Mabo Collection

Personal papers and legal material that record of one of the most important and controversial legal cases in Australian history and the life of the man who is chiefly associated with the case.

Collection guide

First Australians

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