Squiz Kids Eddie Mabo and Native Title... Your Shortcut
Jun 2, 2025
Discover the inspirational story of Eddie Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander who fought valiantly for Native Title rights in Australia. Explore the significant Mabo case that dismantled the outdated concept of terra nullius, reshaping Indigenous land rights. Delve into the implications of the landmark court ruling in 1992 and the Native Title Act of 1993 that followed. Learn how Mabo's legacy continues to influence debates on land ownership today, and commemorate the importance of Mabo Day through engaging insights.
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Eddie Mabo's Early Land Lessons
- Eddie Mabo was taught traditional law and stories by his grandfather on Mer Island.
- This shaped his understanding of land ownership as personal and inherited through families, not recognized by Australian law.
The Spark of the Mabo Case
- Eddie learned from academics that Australian law did not recognize his family's land ownership.
- This revelation shocked him and sparked his fight for recognition that lasted years.
Challenging Terra Nullius
- The Mabo case challenged terra nullius, the legal fiction that Australia belonged to no one on colonization.
- It exposed this as false and an unfair denial of Indigenous peoples' land rights.