Today First Nations Gifts acknowledges and celebrates Mabo Day and the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo.
Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander man who was known for his core role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights.
He had an integral role in a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia in 1992 that overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius ‘nobody’s land’ that had characterised Australian law in regard to land and title for First Peoples in Australia.Unfortunately, Eddie Koiki Mabo did not live to see the fruits of his life-time commitment and passion, passing away from cancer aged fifty-six.
The High Court decision in the ‘Mabo case’ altered the foundation of law in Australia. In the following year, the Native Title Act 1993 was passed through the Australian Parliament and opened the way for further claims of traditional rights to land and compensation.
