Paper short abstract:

The past twenty six years since Mabo Decision has seen the land rights project extend to encompass all of the Australian States and territories, in varying grades of success. The activists chant, "What do we want?" "Land Rights!" has been answered in many parts of Australia, with native title claims succeeding to nearly 80% of the land mass. Unfortunately, little has changed in social, cultural and economic indicators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Native Title system whilst identifying who the correct people associated with land might be has also made it easier and legal to now dispossess people. It has created major charitable funds, locking money and resources away from the people, who may only access these resources for charitable purposes. There is little done to maintain and preserve the cultural and human rights of Aboriginal people. What does it mean to have the right to speak your language? What does it mean to have the right to educate your children? What does it mean to benefit economically from your land? This paper will reflect on my own contributions to this space as an Aboriginal community leader, activist and someone trained in anthropology to engage effectively with the State.