National Indigenous Human Rights Awards facts for kids

The National Indigenous Human Rights Awards are special yearly awards in Australia. They celebrate the amazing work of Indigenous Australians. These awards honor people who have made a big difference in human rights and social justice. The awards ceremony happens in Sydney, New South Wales.

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

How the Awards Started

These important awards began in June 2014. They were launched at the New South Wales Parliament building. A politician from NSW, Shaoquett Moselmane, helped start them.

This awards ceremony was the first in Australia to focus only on the human rights achievements of Indigenous people.

Award Categories

The National Indigenous Human Rights Awards have three main categories. Each award is named after a famous Indigenous Australian who made a big impact:

• The Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights: This award honors musician and educator Mandawuy Yunupingu. He was a leader who worked for human rights.
• The Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice: This award celebrates Indigenous land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo. He fought for justice and land rights for his people.
• Anthony Mundine Award for Courage: This award is named after the brave boxer Anthony Mundine. It recognizes people who show great courage.

Award Winners: 2014

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

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

Here are the first winners:

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

Award Winners: 2015

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

The 2015 awards were hosted by SBS journalist and Arrernte woman Karla Grant. Narungga elder Tauto Sansbury gave the main speech.

Here are the winners from 2015:

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

Award Winners: 2016

Here are the winners from 2016:

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

Award Winners: 2017

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

Here are the winners from 2017:

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

Award Winners: 2018

The 5th National Indigenous Human Rights Awards were held on October 18, 2018. They took place at Parliament House, Sydney. The ceremony was hosted by NITV journalist Karla Grant. Megan Krakouer, a lawyer and Noongar person, gave the main speech.

Here are the winners from 2018:

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