For students
Welcome to Our Stories, Law & More
We are an online resource for high school students covering Australian Indigenous History in relation to law and policy.
We recognised the need for an online resource that comprehensively covers important Indigenous issues including:
- The Constitution
- Land Rights & Native Title
- Law & Policy
- The Stolen Generation
- Self Determination
- Reconciliation
- International Framework
We also identified gaps in the education of non-indigenous people in relation to the true history of Indigenous Peoples in Australia. We also provide relevant multimedia and social networking tools.
Our aim is for this page to be a dynamic portal. Students are encouraged to submit their own academic and creative works for display on the site. Click here if you have a related project that you’d like to see below.
Topics
The Constitution
The Australian Constitution is the basis for our laws and political system. It took effect on 1 January 1901 and to this day is the foundation for how Australia is governed. Indigenous people were not involved in the drafting of the Constitution and until recently were not considered citizens of Australia. This topic looks at the history of Constitutional reform in Australia and current debates for new change.
Land Rights & Native Title
What exactly are Land Rights? When did Land Rights begin? Is there a difference between Land Rights and Native Title? This topic looks at some of the important events in Land Rights and Native Title history.
Law & Policy
Throughout Australia’s history there have been many laws and policies made specifically for Indigenous Australians. This topic will explain past and current laws and policies, as well as the justification for creating them.
The Stolen Generation
Since European occupation of Australia began, so did the separation by force of Indigenous children from their families and communities. This topic will explain how this could happen from a legal perspective, the impact of such policies and recent attempts to reconcile Australia’s painful history.
Self Determination
There are many varied definitions of self-determination, but it is generally regarded as Indigenous Australians having the capacity to control the future of their own communities. This topic gives you an introduction to the concept of self-determination and the history of self-determination in Australia.
Reconciliation
What is reconciliation? What have people done in the past as an act of reconciliation? What can I do? This topic will give you an understanding of the move towards reconciliation and how you can get involved in Australia's unfinished business.
International Framework
What is happening on an international level to ensure Indigenous people have the same rights as other people within society? This topic will explain the important role of the United Nations and give you an insight in to what our Director, Megan Davis, gets up to!