Aboriginal

Aboriginal flag and how it and native title help restore aboriginal identity

The Aboriginal flag was designed by Harold Thomas in 1971. It is divided into two equal halves. The top is black, the bottom is red and there and there is a yellow circle in the centre. The black half symbolises Aboriginal people past, present and future. The yellow circle is the sun, the giver and renewer of life. The red half of the flag is the earth. It also represents red ochre symbolising spiritual attachment to the land.It is was 30th anniversary in 2001.

The symbolic meaning of the flag colours (as stated by Mr Harold Thomas) are:

• Black: Represents the Aboriginal people of Australia

• Red: Represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land.

• Yellow: Represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector

Native title describes the rights which Aboriginal people have to land and waters according to their customary laws, but viewed from and recognised by, the Australian legal system.

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