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Aloisius Puantulura

Australian collection in the Vatican Museums

The main source of the Australian collection items in the Vatican Museums are from the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, Kalumburu in the north east Kimberley and around New Norcia near Perth. Objects include some of the earliest preserved Pukumani funeral poles from the Tiwi Islands, unique artworks from the Kimberley region, as well as rare pieces from other areas.
Dr June Oscar

On International Women's Day 2017, AIATSIS honours Dr June Oscar AO

The UN Women National Committee’s theme for International Women Day’s 2017, Empower a woman, empower a nation, is about transforming the lives of women and girls through empowerment.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal, a signaller for the Australian Women's Army Service during World War II.

Fighters from the Fringe

Oodgeroo Noonuccal was a poet, activist and public speaker during the 1960s.
June Oscar

Encountering truth: the real life stories of objects from empire’s frontier and beyond

June Oscar shares stories from her Bunuba people from when white men came.
sorry sky writing

Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples

The National Apology to the Stolen Generations came about as a recommendation from The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal Children from their Families. It highlighted the suffering of Indigenous families under the Commonwealth, state and territory Aboriginal protection and welfare laws and policies.

Sorry Books

Explore the Sorry Books

The Sorry Books are a powerful record of the personal responses of Australians to the unfolding history of the Stolen Generations. They are a “people’s apology” for past wrongs to Indigenous Australians, a public expression of regret, compassion, and hope.
A rare early image of Corroboree

Rare early image of Corroboree

Learn about the first image of a major public corroboree to appear in a book.
Eddie Koiki Mabo

Eddie Koiki Mabo

Edward Mabo was a key plaintiff in Australia’s most famous land rights case.
National Aborigines Day 1974 poster

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is an annual event celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by all Australians during the first full week of July.
Balgabalgar

Indigenous Australian Languages

Over 250 Indigenous Australian language groups lived on this continent in 1788.
Last reviewed: 31 Aug 2015