This video is about origin and history of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy. It contains valauble footage and people (and members of The Black Power) associated with the embassy.

The purpose of this video is to introduce you to The Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

Write down five facts while watching this video.

On the eve of Australia Day 1972, the McMahon government announced the implementation of a new system that rejected granting independent ownership of traditional land to Indigenous people. 

Instead, McMahon was only willing to grant leases on land to First Nations peoples if they could prove they were going to use it for economic gain.

You have to remember, the Gurindji were still fighting for ownership of their land at Wave Hill. 

During the night, Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey (members of The Black Power) drove from Redern to Canberra and set up a beach umbrella on the lawns opposite Parliment House (this location is now Old Parliament House). This was the origin of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

This video contains footage of the destruction of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the 20th of July 1972 after laws were made in May that prevented people from camping on unleased land in the ACT.

This footage spread outrage across the country and the world because the Tent Embassy was a peaceful protest.

The tents were re-erected on the 31st of July. 

The Tent Embassy is a symbol of Aboriginal protest against successive governments and their approach to Indigenous issues. 

It still exists outside of Old Parliament House.

In this part of his essay, Foley discusses the origin of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

Read the source before answering these questions.

1 - When did Prime Minister McMahon reject Indigenous land rights?

2 - Why did Foley say the date of this announcement was provocative?

3 - When was The Aboriginal Tent Embassy erected?

4 - Why did Foley say 'aliens in our own land', thus as aliens 'we would have an embassy of our own?'

5 - According to Foley, why did they build it across the road from Parliament House?

6 - At this stage, why couldn't police remove The Tent Embassy and its peaceful protesters?

7 - What is this source useful for?

Source - The Tribune

In this part of his essay, Foley discusses Gough Whitlam's visit to The Tent Embassy and his support for Indigenous land rights.

Read the source before answering these questions.

1 - Who was the Tent Embassy getting support from?

2 - What did Whitlam talk to the members of the Tent Embassy about?

3 - What did Whitlam announce if Labor was to be elected?

4 - What significant event is linked to your answer for Question 3? It was a few lessons ago.

5 - Why was this a significant breakthrough for The Black Power group?

6 - What did the Tent Embassy protesters invade soon after?

7 - What is this source useful for?

Read the article before answering these questions. Click on the image to access the article on Trove. 

1 - How long after the first destruction of The Tent Embassy was this article published?

2 - Why is the author of this source significant? What does it prove?

3 - How long did the struggle between police and protesters last?

4 - How many arrests were there?

5 - Who formed a ring around The Embassy to protect it?

6 - Why were the police able to remove The Embassy in July but not in January?

7 - What is this source usefu for?

8 - Think back to other resources you've seen this lesson. How do we know the evidence in this source is reliable?

These questions don't relate to the whole article because it gets pretty blurry. Read the article as you answer the questions. Click on the image to access the article on Trove. 

1 - According to The Canberra Times, how did the Australian Government bring international disgrace upon itself?

2 - What did Gough Whitlam say was the only reason the Government dared to act against them?

3 - What is this source useful for?