Bark Petitions and the Lineage of Indigenous Recognition

 In 1963 four bark petitions were signed by representatives of the Yolngu people of Yirrkala that would be a landmark in the pursuit of indigenous self-determination.

A new documentary uncovers the story of these documents and their connection to the struggle for indigenous rights. Stephen Hill asked the director of “One Mind, One Heart” Professor Larissa Behrendt about how important the bark petitions were in the quest by indigenous Australians to obtain proper legal recognition.

Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders are warned this interview contains the names of people who are deceased.

“One Mind, One Heart” is screening on SBS on Demand and Professor Larissa Behrendt will be part of a panel discussion following a screening at the Antenna Documentary film festival on February 11.

Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changes the Course of Australian Democracy by Dr. Claire Wright is available at Text Publishing

 

 

 

 

 

Image: Shutterstock, photographer: Alex Dee

Produced By: Stephen Hill

Featured In Story: Dr Larissa Behrendt, Professor at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 22 January 2025

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