Eddie Mabo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Mabo
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| Born |
Edward Koiki Sambo
29 June 1936 Mer, Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia
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| Died | 21 January 1992 (aged 55) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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| Spouse(s) |
Bonita Mabo
(m. 1959) |
| Children | 10 |
Edward Koiki Mabo (born Sambo; June 29, 1936 – January 21, 1992) was an Indigenous Australian man. He was from the Torres Strait Islands. Eddie Mabo is famous for fighting for land rights for his people.
He played a key role in a big court case. This case changed Australian law. It overturned the idea of terra nullius. This Latin phrase means "nobody's land". Before this, Australian law said the land belonged to no one before Europeans arrived.
The court case officially recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had rights to their traditional lands. These were lands their families had lived on for thousands of years.
Contents
Eddie Mabo's Early Life and Family
Eddie Mabo was born Edward Koiki Sambo on June 29, 1936. His birthplace was the village of Las on Mer Island. This island is in the Torres Strait, between Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
His parents were Robert Zesou Sambo and Poipe Mabo. Sadly, his mother died soon after he was born. His uncle, Benny Mabo, adopted him. Eddie then changed his last name to Mabo. This adoption was a common tradition among Torres Strait Islanders.
In 1959, Mabo married Bonita Neehow. She was an Australian South Sea Islander. They had seven children together and adopted three more. One of their daughters, Gail, is an Aboriginal artist and dancer. She works with schools as a cultural advisor.
Bonita Mabo passed away in 2018 at age 75. She received an honorary doctorate for her work in human rights. Eddie Mabo's nephew, Saibo Mabo, became an Anglican Bishop. His great-nephew is NBA player Patty Mills. Patty Mills was the third Black Australian to play Olympic basketball.
Eddie Mabo's Career Journey
Before his famous court case, Eddie Mabo worked in many jobs. He worked on boats that collected pearls. He also cut sugar cane and worked on railway lines. At age 31, he became a gardener at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland.
In 1973, Eddie and Bonita Mabo started the Black Community School in Townsville. This school helped children learn about their own culture. It was important for them to learn their heritage, not just white culture.
His time at the university greatly influenced his life. In 1974, he talked with historians Noel Loos and Henry Reynolds. Eddie spoke about his land on Mer Island. He believed he owned it.
The historians had to tell him that, by Australian law, he did not own the land. It was considered "Crown land" (government land). Eddie was shocked and upset. He famously said, "No way, it's not theirs, it's ours."
Later, Eddie Mabo worked on a project about Torres Strait history. He was stopped from visiting other islands in the Strait. He was seen as a "radical" at the time. This made him feel like an exile from his own home.
Fighting for Land Rights
In 1981, a land rights meeting was held at James Cook University. Eddie Mabo gave a speech there. He explained how land was passed down on Murray Island. A lawyer at the meeting, Greg McIntyre, saw how important this was.
He suggested a court case to claim land rights. Greg McIntyre agreed to take the case. He worked with barristers Ron Castan and Bryan Keon-Cohen. McIntyre represented Mabo during the court hearings. This legal fight lasted for ten years.
Death and the Mabo Decision
Eddie Mabo died from cancer on January 21, 1992. He was 55 years old.
Five months later, on June 3, 1992, the High Court made its historic decision. They overturned the legal idea of terra nullius. This meant the land was not "nobody's land" when Europeans arrived.
This court decision is formally known as "Mabo v Queensland (No 2)". In Australia, it is simply called "Mabo". It is a very important moment in Australian history.
Three years after Eddie Mabo died, a memorial service was held. This was a traditional mourning period for his people. The next day, vandals attacked his grave. They spray-painted hateful words and symbols on his tombstone.
His family decided to rebury his body on Murray Island. On the night of his reburial, the Islanders performed a special ceremony. It was a traditional ritual for burying a Meriam king. This ceremony had not been seen on the island for 80 years.
Eddie Mabo's Legacy
In 1992, Eddie Mabo was given the Australian Human Rights Medal. This was awarded after his death. He shared the award with others who fought for justice. It recognised their long struggle for Indigenous people's rights.
In 1993, The Australian newspaper named him the 1992 Australian of the Year. This was not the official government award.
A documentary film about his life was released in 1997. It was called Mabo: Life of an Island Man. It won an award for best documentary.
On May 21, 2008, James Cook University named its Townsville library after him. It is now called the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library.
Mabo Day is an official holiday in the Torres Shire. It is celebrated every year on June 3.
In 2012, a TV drama called Mabo was shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It was based on his life story.
In 2015, Tony Abbott became the first Prime Minister of Australia to visit Mabo's grave. He paid tribute to Eddie Mabo's important work.
In 2016, Google Doodle created a special image to celebrate his 80th birthday.
In 2017, the Royal Australian Mint made a special 50-cent coin. It marked 25 years since the Mabo decision. It also marked 50 years since a big referendum. His granddaughter, Boneta-Marie Mabo, designed the coin.
See also
In Spanish: Eddie Mabo para niños
