Embedded Files
Lesson 1 - The Black Power (Redfern)
Lesson 1 - The Black Power (Redfern)
To know - the black power
To know - the black power
To be able to - explain why The Black Power group was significant for Australia's Aboriginal rights movement
To be able to - explain why The Black Power group was significant for Australia's Aboriginal rights movement
Redfern during the 1970's
Redfern during the 1970's
The suburb of Redfern in Sydney was the centre of the Black Power movement in Australia during the 1960's and 1970's, became a congregational point for Aboriginal people.
The suburb of Redfern in Sydney was the centre of the Black Power movement in Australia during the 1960's and 1970's, became a congregational point for Aboriginal people.
In 1950, there were 3000 First Nations people living in Redfern. By 1976, there were 20,000. This is because segragation was still rife in country towns and some First Nations people moved to the city to escape it.
In 1950, there were 3000 First Nations people living in Redfern. By 1976, there were 20,000. This is because segragation was still rife in country towns and some First Nations people moved to the city to escape it.
Redfern became a hub for Aboriginal activism. AHC for Aboriginal-managed housing and purchased what is now known as The Block. The Block started as affordable low-cost housing for disadvantaged Aboriginal people, but became a community of social activism and the home of The Black Power group.
Redfern became a hub for Aboriginal activism. AHC for Aboriginal-managed housing and purchased what is now known as The Block. The Block started as affordable low-cost housing for disadvantaged Aboriginal people, but became a community of social activism and the home of The Black Power group.
Black power and key members
Black power and key members
The Black Power group was established in 1968 in Redfern.
The Black Power group was established in 1968 in Redfern.
Key members of the group were:
Key members of the group were:
Gary Foley
Gary Foley
Paul Coe
Paul Coe
Isobel Coe
Isobel Coe
Gary Williams
Gary Williams
Bert Williams
Bert Williams
Billy Craigie
Billy Craigie
Lyn Craigie
Lyn Craigie
Keith Smith
Keith Smith
Bob Bellear
Bob Bellear
Sol Bellear
Sol Bellear
Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson
Lyall Munro
Lyall Munro
Tony Coorey
Tony Coorey
Members of The Black Power
Source - Gary Foley
Paul Coe in 1972
Source - Gary Foley
William Ferguson, Jack Patton and others during the first Day of Mourning in 1938.
Source - Horner (AIATSIS Collection)
Charles Perkins is greeted by students at Inverell Airport
Source - Ann Curthoys
A Black Panther demonstration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
Source - Washington State Archives
inspirations
inspirations
The Black Power were motivated by:
The Black Power were motivated by:
The 1938 Day of Mourning organised by the APA and AAL (and leaders like William Ferguson, Jack Patten and William Cooper).
The 1938 Day of Mourning organised by the APA and AAL (and leaders like William Ferguson, Jack Patten and William Cooper).
Charlie Perkins and the 1965 Freedom Rides (Perkins visited the hometowns of many of the Black Power members when they were younger).
Charlie Perkins and the 1965 Freedom Rides (Perkins visited the hometowns of many of the Black Power members when they were younger).
The Black Panthers in USA.
The Black Panthers in USA.
The fact that 90.77% of Australians vote Yes in the 1967 Referendum.
The fact that 90.77% of Australians vote Yes in the 1967 Referendum.
The Gurindji striking for their land rights.
The Gurindji striking for their land rights.
Members of The Black Power read Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Frantz Fanon, Angela Davis, Jean Paul Sartre and more. Reading the thoughts of these activists and intellectuals enabled the Black Power activists to engage with a variety of politics.
Members of The Black Power read Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Frantz Fanon, Angela Davis, Jean Paul Sartre and more. Reading the thoughts of these activists and intellectuals enabled the Black Power activists to engage with a variety of politics.
What did they do and what did they achieve?
What did they do and what did they achieve?
When Gary Foley arrived in Sydney when he was 17, his first experience was getting bashed by the police.
When Gary Foley arrived in Sydney when he was 17, his first experience was getting bashed by the police.
The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) - The Black Power used to follow police with a pencil and paper and monitor them and what they did. This patrol caught the eye of Hal Wotton who was the dean of law at the University of NSW. Paul Coe was a student under Wotton and together they formed a team of lawyers that provided free legal aid to First Nations people. This became the Aboriginal Legal Service (1970).
The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) - The Black Power used to follow police with a pencil and paper and monitor them and what they did. This patrol caught the eye of Hal Wotton who was the dean of law at the University of NSW. Paul Coe was a student under Wotton and together they formed a team of lawyers that provided free legal aid to First Nations people. This became the Aboriginal Legal Service (1970).
Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) - The Black Power established the AMS. This was provided First Nations people with basic health, the NSW and Federal Government provided First Nations people with little assistance so organisations like the AMS were vital. The AMS still exists today in Redfern.
Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) - The Black Power established the AMS. This was provided First Nations people with basic health, the NSW and Federal Government provided First Nations people with little assistance so organisations like the AMS were vital. The AMS still exists today in Redfern.
1971 Springbok Tour Protests - When the South African Rugby Team toured Australia in 1971, The Black Power helped organise anti-apartheid protests that opposed the team's presence in Australia.
1971 Springbok Tour Protests - When the South African Rugby Team toured Australia in 1971, The Black Power helped organise anti-apartheid protests that opposed the team's presence in Australia.
The Tent Embassy - The members of The Black Power established The Tent Embassy. The embassy was built in front of parliment house (now Old Parliment House) and its purpose was to keep the issue of Aboriginal rights in the eyes of the public and the government. It is still there today.
The Tent Embassy - The members of The Black Power established The Tent Embassy. The embassy was built in front of parliment house (now Old Parliment House) and its purpose was to keep the issue of Aboriginal rights in the eyes of the public and the government. It is still there today.
The Black Power also supported and worked for Charlie Perkins and Ken Brindle in the Gurindji strike campaign.
The Black Power also supported and worked for Charlie Perkins and Ken Brindle in the Gurindji strike campaign.
Charlie Perkins organising support for the Gurindji land rights campaign at The Tent Embassy with members of The Black Power in 1972
Source - AIATSIS
Protests during QLD vs SA at the Brisbane Showgrounds in 1971
Source - QLD Police
First day of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, outside Parliament House, Canberra, 27 January 1972.
Left to right- Billy Craigie, Bert Williams, Michael Anderson and Tony Coorey.
Source - State Library of NSW
task 1 - the aboriginal medical Service
task 1 - the aboriginal medical Service
This video is an ABC news story from 1975 of Gary Foley discussing the AMS.
This video is an ABC news story from 1975 of Gary Foley discussing the AMS.
Write down three facts about the AMS while watching this news story.
Write down three facts about the AMS while watching this news story.
Task 2 - Sources on The Black Power
Task 2 - Sources on The Black Power
Source - Foley
Source 1 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Source 1 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Read the source before answering these question.
Read the source before answering these question.
1 - What are the two topics of this source?
1 - What are the two topics of this source?
2 - What types of places were the Black Power members named in this source from?
2 - What types of places were the Black Power members named in this source from?
3 - Who were they inspired by?
3 - Who were they inspired by?
4 - Why did First Nations people move to the city?
4 - Why did First Nations people move to the city?
5 - What is this source useful for understanding?
5 - What is this source useful for understanding?
Source 2 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Source 2 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Read the source before answering these question.
Read the source before answering these question.
1 - What is the main topic of this extract?
1 - What is the main topic of this extract?
2 - Where did The Black Panther get the idea of patrolling police?
2 - Where did The Black Panther get the idea of patrolling police?
3 - When did The Black Power start monitoring the police in Redfern?
3 - When did The Black Power start monitoring the police in Redfern?
4 - Identify the members of The Black Power that monitored the police.
4 - Identify the members of The Black Power that monitored the police.
5 - What did they record the police doing?
5 - What did they record the police doing?
6 - Where were The Black Power extending their contacts to in 1969?
6 - Where were The Black Power extending their contacts to in 1969?
7 - What is this source useful for understanding?
7 - What is this source useful for understanding?
Source - Foley
Source - Foley
Source 3 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Source 3 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Read the source before answering these question.
Read the source before answering these question.
1 - What is the main topic of this extract?
1 - What is the main topic of this extract?
2 - Where did the South African team stay in Sydney?
2 - Where did the South African team stay in Sydney?
3 - Why did The Black Power have a headquarters there?
3 - Why did The Black Power have a headquarters there?
4 - What is this source useful for?
4 - What is this source useful for?
Source 4 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Source 4 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Read the source before answering these question.
Read the source before answering these question.
1 - Why was Gary Foley invited to Adelaide?
1 - Why was Gary Foley invited to Adelaide?
2 - Who did he meet there? What did this person design?
2 - Who did he meet there? What did this person design?
3 - Who took it back to Sydney?
3 - Who took it back to Sydney?
4 - Why is this source significant for understanding the impact of The Black Power?
4 - Why is this source significant for understanding the impact of The Black Power?
Source - Foley
Source - Foley
Source 5 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Source 5 - An extract from Gary Foley's essay Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 (2001)
Read the source before answering these question.
Read the source before answering these question.
1 - What is the event Foley is discussing in this part of his essay?
1 - What is the event Foley is discussing in this part of his essay?
2 - What did tourists in Canberra give to participants of The Tent Embassy and were they given in return?
2 - What did tourists in Canberra give to participants of The Tent Embassy and were they given in return?
3 - How did local residents of Canberra support The Tent Embassy?
3 - How did local residents of Canberra support The Tent Embassy?
4 - What is this source useful for?
4 - What is this source useful for?
task 3 - putting your knowledge into action
task 3 - putting your knowledge into action
Answer the following question as a Hammer paragraph. The Hammer is a good paragraph structure for writing in History. Time how long it takes you to complete the paragraph using the timer below.
Answer the following question as a Hammer paragraph. The Hammer is a good paragraph structure for writing in History. Time how long it takes you to complete the paragraph using the timer below.
With reference to their achievements, explain why The Black Power group was significant for Australia's Aboriginal rights movement.
With reference to their achievements, explain why The Black Power group was significant for Australia's Aboriginal rights movement.
bonus task
bonus task
Many of the sources from this lesson come from Gary Foley's essay called Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 which he published in 2001.
Many of the sources from this lesson come from Gary Foley's essay called Black Power in Redfern 1968 - 1972 which he published in 2001.
homework
homework
History has more meaning beyond the classroom
History has more meaning beyond the classroom
ask someone if they have heard of the black power group and discuss their achievements
ask someone if they have heard of the black power group and discuss their achievements
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