National Indigenous Human Rights Awards facts for kids

Anthony Mundine (centre) at the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards, Sydney, 2015.

The National Indigenous Human Rights Awards are special awards given out every year in Australia. They celebrate the amazing work of Indigenous Australians who fight for human rights and fairness for everyone. The awards ceremony happens in Sydney, New South Wales.

What Are These Awards?

These awards are the first national awards in Australia that are just for Indigenous human rights achievements. They celebrate people who have made a big difference.

There are three main awards given out:

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights: This award honors Mandawuy Yunupingu, a famous musician and teacher.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice: This award honors Eddie Mabo, who was a very important person in getting land rights for Indigenous people in Australia.
• The Anthony Mundine Award for Courage: This award honors Anthony Mundine, a well-known boxer.

How the Awards Started

The National Indigenous Human Rights Awards began in June 2014. They were launched at the New South Wales Parliament building. A politician from New South Wales named Shaoquett Moselmane helped start them.

Awards in 2014

The very first National Indigenous Human Rights Awards were held on June 24, 2014. Many Indigenous leaders from all over Australia came to Sydney for the event.

Linda Burney, a Deputy Leader of the Opposition, hosted the ceremony. Yalmay Yunupingu gave an important speech. The awards were presented by Yalmay Yunupingu, who was the wife of Dr. Mandawuy Yunupingu, and Gail Mabo, who is the daughter of Eddie Mabo. The boxer Anthony Mundine also presented awards.

• The first Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights went to Rosalie Kunoth-Monks.
• The first Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice went to the family of Eddie Murray.
• The first Anthony Mundine Award for Courage went to Barbara McGrady.

Awards in 2015

Jenny Munro holding her award at the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards

The 2015 awards were hosted by Karla Grant, a journalist from SBS. Tauto Sansbury, an elder from the Narungga people, gave the main speech.

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights went to Tauto Sansbury.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice went to Jenny Munro.
• The Anthony Mundine Award for Courage went to Adam Goodes.

Awards in 2016

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights went to Dameyon Bonson. Dameyon Bonson later returned the award in February 2018.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice went to Mervyn Eades.
• The Anthony Mundine Award for Courage went to Lex Wotton.

Awards in 2017

The 2017 awards night was hosted by Jeff McMullen, a former journalist. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy gave the main speech. Tauto Sansbury also gave a speech.

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights went to Mervyn Eades.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice went to Gayili Marika Yunupingu.
• The Anthony Mundine Award for Courage went to Professor Chris Sarra.

Awards in 2018

The fifth National Indigenous Human Rights Awards were held on October 18, 2018. They took place at Parliament House, Sydney. Karla Grant, a journalist from NITV, hosted the ceremony. Megan Krakouer, a lawyer, gave an important speech.

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights went to Megan Krakouer.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice went to Keenan Mundine.
• The Anthony Mundine Award for Courage went to Clinton Pryor.