Jul 01 2008
Flag of Red, Black and Gold
The Red, Black and Gold of the Indigenous Australian Flag sprang from passionate times.
It was a symbol of race and identity in the Land Rights struggles of the 1970s, when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fought their exclusion from proper education, health care, housing and employment.
For those who know the history of this country and recognise its terrible legacy of injustice for indigenous people, the raising of the flag is unifying and inclusive. It’s a commitment to our future together.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag is displayed at Aboriginal centres and is well recognised as the flag of Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
It’s flown during NAIDOC Week to celebrate and promote greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and culture and during National Reconciliation Week.
The black half symbolises Aboriginal people past, present and future. The yellow circle is the sun, the giver and renewer of life. The red half of the flag is the earth. It also represents red ochre symbolising spiritual attachment to the land.
Condoms
The sale of condoms in the colours of the flag won a public health award in 2005 for the initiative’s success in improving safe sex practices among young Indigenous people.
The flag was designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, a Luritja man from Central Australia, and flown above the Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside of the old Parliament House in Canberra.
Cathy Freeman
Champion sprinter, Cathy Freeman, waved the Aboriginal flag in the 1994 Commonwealth Games after winning the 200 metres sprint. There’s a smashing photo of Cathy in National Geographic Photo Gallery : Olympics Winners Circle showing her doing the Victory Lap after the 400m with both Australian Flags.
In recent years, many non Aboriginal government authorities, organisations and individuals have shown their support for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by raising their flags.
Melbourne Trades Hall flies the Indigenous Flag alongside the Flag of Eureka. Various regional cities and local councils also fly the Aboriginal flag from the town halls.
It is increasingly being flown by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and assuming greater importance in Australian society.
Further Reading
The Koori History Website An indigenous history archive and education resource site with information on Black Australia’s 200 year struggle for justice.
Koori Mail is not just a successful national publication - it’s also a true Aboriginal success story.
The newspaper is owned jointly by five small Aboriginal organisations in Bundjalung country, on the far north coast of New South Wales. Every cent of profit made by the newspaper goes to Indigenous Australians - either in the form of dividends, sponsorships or scholarship.
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