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National | Aboriginal

Native Affairs - Tent Embassy

In 1972 four young Aboriginal men planted their beach umbrellas on the lawns of Australia's Parliament in Canberra.

It was to protest their land rights.  A simple but brave gesture that symbolised the frustrations of thousands of Aborigines who were forcibly removed from their whenua and whānau.

Their actions sparked violent clashes with police but today the Embassy still occupies the old Parliament lawns.  It is a constant reminder to Australians that things are far from fair for its Aboriginal nations.

A warning to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait viewers watching in Australia.  This programme contains images of people who are now deceased.