Ghillar Michael Anderson facts for kids
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Ghillar Michael Anderson was born in 1951. He is a respected Elder and activist. He belongs to the Euahlayi people from Goodooga, Australia.
In 1972, he helped set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra. This was a protest to fight for Indigenous land rights in Australia. He later became its High Commissioner.
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Working for Indigenous Rights
Ghillar Michael Anderson has spent his life working for the rights of Indigenous Australians. He has been involved in many important events.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy started on January 26, 1972. This day is also known as Australia Day. It is a day of mourning for many Indigenous Australians. Four young men, including Michael Anderson, set up a beach umbrella. They put it on the lawn outside Parliament House in Canberra.
They were protesting the government's land policies. They wanted Indigenous people to have rights to their traditional lands. The embassy grew into a camp of tents. It became a symbol of the fight for land rights.
Global Voice for Culture
Anderson has also worked on the world stage. He sat on a UN Committee in Geneva. This committee discussed the return of cultural items. These items were taken from Indigenous communities. He worked to bring them back home. This process is called cultural repatriation.
Proclaiming a Republic
In 2013, Anderson and other leaders made a special announcement. They declared a republic in Dirranbandi, Queensland. He was chosen as the head of this new nation. They even informed Queen Elizabeth II of their decision.
Sharing Star Knowledge
Ghillar Michael Anderson is also known for his work in astronomy. He is part of the Australian Aboriginal Astronomy Project. He works with scientists to share traditional star knowledge.
The Emu in the Sky
He has done important research on the "Emu in the sky." This is an amazing way of looking at the stars. It sees the dark spaces between stars in the Milky Way. These dark spaces form the shape of an emu. For Indigenous people, these shapes represent important ancestral figures. This idea inspired the book Dark Emu.
Documentary Film
Anderson was featured in a film. This documentary was about Aboriginal Australian astronomy. It was shown widely, even in schools. It helped many people learn about this ancient knowledge.
Awards and Recognition
Ghillar Michael Anderson's work has been recognized. He has received special honours for his contributions.
Asteroid 10040 Ghillar
In June 2021, an asteroid was named after him. It is called Asteroid 10040 Ghillar. The IAU gave it this name. The asteroid was found in 1984 by Czech astronomer Zdeňka Vávrová.
The naming citation said: "Ghillar Michael Anderson (b. 1951), of Goodooga, NSW (Australia), is an Aboriginal elder, Senior Law Man, and leader of the Euahlayi people bordering northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. He has shared in-depth knowledge about Kamilaroi and Euahlayi astronomical knowledge and has published several academic papers on the topic." This shows how important his work is.
