Aboriginal Embassy sign highlights Institute’s diverse and priceless collection

 

 24 January 2012

A 40-year old hand painted sign from the Aboriginal Embassy has gone on display in Canberra as part of celebrations later this week marking the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy.

The sign is part of an exhibition of items drawn from the archives of AIATSIS – the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies – who hold the world’s largest collection of printed and other resource materials for Indigenous Studies.

The chipboard sign - emblazoned with the words “Aboriginal Embassy” - was one of the original signs used by the Embassy which was set up in January 1972 to be the base of a continued protest against the McMahon’s Government’s refusal to grant or acknowledge Aboriginal Land Rights.

According to AIATSIS’ Principal Russell Taylor, the Aboriginal Embassy sign highlights not only the diversity of the Institute’s collection but the priceless nature of its’ material.

“The sign is part of Australian history – it is part of the burgeoning political struggle and the 1970s rights movements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

“This sign – like our vast collections of films, photographs, video and audio recordings – are part of the memory of this nation.”

“Every picture, every story, every song in our collection enriches all of us,” he noted.

The Aboriginal Embassy was erected on 26 January by Aboriginal Activists Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey using a beach umbrella. They originally used manila folders to make the first sign declaring ''Aboriginal Embassy,'' tying it with shoelaces.

Celebrations and events marking 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Aboriginal Embassy will be held in Canberra from 26-28 January.