portfolio part 2

Pearl Gibbs Profile

PEARL GIBBS

Background

Pearl Gibbs was born in Perouse, Sydney, in 19001. Her parents were Mary Margret Brown and David Barry. Gibbs grew in the town of Yass, where she schooled in Mount Carmel together with her older sister Olga. While schooling, Gibbs faced racial discrimination and identified as an Aboriginal. Though her skin was fair, she was not spared by the white people (Gray & Beresford, 2008).

Gibbs later tied knotS with a British sailor, though they separated after getting two sons and one daughter. The husband left her, and she nursed the children alone. Being an indigenous Australian activist, Gibbs was the most famous woman in time leading aboriginal movement in the 20th century. After completing school, Gibbs and her family relocated to Bourke. She worked as a maid while her parents worked on a sheep station.

Significant events of Pearl Gibbs in Australian society

In 1930, Gibbs was the leader camp that used to fights for the rights of the aboriginals. After three years she organized a strike for the aboriginal employees of pea-pickers. In 1938 Gibbs led people to protest during the day of mourning which had a key significance to the aboriginal natives (Mullin & Oliver, 2010). It commemorated the first meeting of indigenous aboriginal people protesting against discrimination and chauvinism which was their daily part of living, also the protest established a modern movement that will fight for aboriginal people.

This day was set for white people to rejoice. It was stated as a day of the progress for 150 years, but to Australian, it was a day of mourning to mark 150 years of depravity and humiliation by white invaders.

The mourning day; the picture above showed a day when aboriginals protested on 26th January 1938. It was a demonstration over 150 years of callous treatment and grabbing of the land by the white invaders. Was designed by Australian to stand in contrast to the European day of celebration (Sharifian & Malcolm, 2004)

Pearl Gibbs cultural experiences in Australian society

Pearl faced discrimination in languages spoken in Australia and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Because of this, indigenous language was a great asset to assist indigenous society in organizing, being rational in linguistics to reinforce, reserve and recover indigenous languages.

Pearl contribution to Australian society

In early 20th century, Gibbs was a member of Aborigines Progressive Association (APA). She was the first female member of this movement. During rallies, she attracted massive no of people to listen to her speeches in the streets of Sydney. Pearl worked as APA president and its secretary to organize the day of mourning protest. Pearl was the spokesperson of the Committee for Aboriginal citizens’ rights. After the retirement of Fergurson, she succeeded him as the secretary general of APA movement.

In 1941, the first radio by an aboriginal woman was broadcasted. This was a great milestone for her in the country. She scripted a speech on aboriginal civil rights so that it would be aired on the radio.

Together with the retired former secretary, they founded a branch of Australian aborigine’s league in Dubbo acting as the vice president. Because women were more vulnerable in being despised and humiliated, he constructed a hostel that will provide services for patients of aboriginals in Dubbo.

Gibbs contributed in establishing an Australian Aboriginal Fellowship (AAF). That was structured in an urban setup design to facilitate collaboration between Aboriginal people and white settlers concerned with the group. Gibbs used AFF for development avenues and trade unions in the southern part of Australia.

Lastly, Gibbs contribution to her political field remained active. Her positions in politics marked stepping stone aboriginals by establishing Aboriginal Tent Embassy. She framed key connections for the aboriginal people and other liberal political groups, particularly women’s movement (Burgmann & Verity 2003)

The importance of Australians Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

As cited by Pearl Gibbs, it is a culture established in a unique setting to give the 21st century Australian an identity today. It has preceded much vital information’s to broaden cultural diversity in people. Language and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture are passed from one generation to other using vibrant and modern expressions. Also, learning the culture of aboriginals helps the current generations to improve the works of painting and body arts. This work varies, unified and continuous to perfections by the future generations (Burgmann & Verity 2003)

Conclusion

Many people lack enough information about Aboriginal people; I advocate that the information of this unique culture be passed to kids and learners from one generation to another. People read their history and share the lessons to practice good leadership and rule without any prejudice and discrimination.

Eddie Mabo profile from my friend

The most well known contribution of Mabo is his involvement in Mabo vs Queensland (2) case in the High Court which was won and meant that Native Titles were recognised in Australia for the first time. Mabo was very involved in Indigenous politics for some time. I haven't quite got all the details of the court case yet but believe that Mabo worked on this for around 10 years. Unfortunately the decision of the High Court was not made until after Mabo passed away. Eddie Mabo was born in June 1936 in Mur (Murray Island), Torres Strait. His mother died not long after he was born so he was raised by his uncle and grew up in a way that was traditional for people on the island. I believe that part of Mabo's passion for land rights and tradition would have developed when he was growing up with his uncle as he would listen to conversations that his uncle had with people who came to him about property, marriage and ceremonies. His uncle was considered a custodian of sacred tradition. Some of the events going on as Mabo was growing up were: Protests over Indigenous land, Indigenous children were being taken from their families throughout the country with the intent that claims to that land would be difficult to substantiate in the future and Aboriginals only had the same rights as white people if they were to ‘cease to be Aboriginal’. Mabo was particularly interested in Aboriginal politics and became the secretary for the Aboriginal Advancement League in Townsville, helped to organise the 1967 Inter-Racial Conference and raise political awareness of Indigenous rights

LEAD UP TO MABO VS. QUEENSLAND: • As secretary for the Aboriginal Advancement League in Townsville, helped organise the 1967 Inter-Racial Conference and raise political awareness of Indigenous rights. • In December 1972 the Whitlam Government was elected with commitment to reforming relations with Indigenous people, a first in Australia history. • In 1973 Mabo established the Townsville Black Community School. That same year Mabo was refused a visit back to Mer due to his status as a political trouble maker. • Involvement in education over the next 10 years helped gain Mabo national recognition with appointments to Australia’s Aboriginal Arts Council and the National Aboriginal Education Committee. • In 1974 a key conversation took place between Mabo and two faculty members at James Cook University where Mabo worked; Noel Loos and Henry Reynolds. It was at this point Mabo realised fully his right to land ownership in Mer was not legally recognised and was under question. Mabo had a confident and energetic persona and was always up for tough political battles. In 1981 at a Native Title Conference, Mabo met solicitor Greg McIntyre who went on to represent him in the historical case Mabo vs. Queensland (2) (Elks, 2012). Legal proceedings began May 20, 1982 when Mabo and fellow Meriam men Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapoo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice made a claim to their native title (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies [AIATSIS], 2016). In an attempt to shut down the claimed rights, Queensland Parliament passed the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985, however Mabo et al challenged this and the High Court found it to be invalid due to conflicts with the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. It was not until June 3 1992 that the High Court of Australia upheld the claim that ruled the lands of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands were not terra nullius when Europeans settled, that Indigenous people had occupied the land in Australia for thousands of years and that the Meriam people were 'entitled as against the whole world to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of (most of) the lands of the Murray Islands'. The decision meant that native title was inserted into Australian Law (AIATSIS, 2016).  Unfortunately, Eddie Mabo passed away January 21 1992 from cancer (ABC, 2009), just under 5 months before the High Court ruling. Even so, Mabo’s fight made history and since his case there have been over 100 native title declarations (Elks, 2012). Mabo has passed on his strong traditional sense of pride to his own children and given other Indigenous Australians back something that seemed lost forever.