What is the Aboriginal Tent Embassy?
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a protest site on the lawns opposite Old Parliament House in Canberra. Established on 26 January 1972, it is the longest continuous protest for Indigenous land rights in the world.
Four young Aboriginal men, Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Tony Coorey and Bertie Williams, set up a beach umbrella on the lawns on Australia Day 1972. They were protesting against the McMahon government's refusal to recognise Aboriginal land rights.
The protesters said Aboriginal people were treated like foreigners in their own land, so they needed an embassy. The site quickly grew into a collection of tents and attracted national attention.
Flags and recognition
The Aboriginal flag, designed by Harold Thomas in 1971, became widely known through the Tent Embassy. Police removed the tents several times in 1972, leading to clashes, but the embassy was re-established.
It has been present on the site, in various forms, since 1992. In 1995 it was added to the Register of the National Estate, the first Aboriginal site recognised for its political significance.
Today, the Tent Embassy continues to campaign for sovereignty, treaty and justice. A sacred fire burns at the site, and visitors are welcome to talk with those present.
Did You Know?
The Tent Embassy's 50th anniversary was marked in January 2022.