9 September 2009
From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970, an exhibition featuring some of the key moments of Aboriginal activism, has been opened by film maker Rachel Perkins at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
'From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970 tells a story unknown to most Australians — but painfully familiar to a few,' said exhibition curator Jay Arthur.
'It's the story of the struggle for Indigenous Australians to have the same rights as everybody else. The exhibition celebrates those people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who took part in this struggle — who had the courage to say 'This is not the way we want Australia to be' and the dedication to try and change it,' Jay said.
From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970 is an exhibition about a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians who worked together to fight for justice for Aboriginal people. The exhibition includes key moments in Australia's history of Aboriginal activism such as the 1938 Day of Mourning and Protest, the 1965 Freedom Ride, the Gurindji 'walk-off', and the 1967 Referendum.
To coincide with the exhibition, the National Museum of Australia will host 'Get-up stand up', a public forum exploring contemporary forms of protest, from 1-2.30pm, Thursday, September 10, 2009. The forum will be led by Indigenous hip-hop artist BrothaBlack; leading Indigenous film maker and daughter of activist Charles Perkins, Rachel Perkins; and Professor John Maynard, historian, chair of Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle and grandson of activist Fred Maynard. Forum attendance is free, bookings essential: 02 6208 5021
From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970 is a travelling exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia. The exhibition will be on show at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra from September 10, 2009 to March 8, 2010, before travelling interstate. Admission is free.
For more information about the exhibition visit: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
For interviews, images and more information please contact Dennis Grant on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or Caroline Vero on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au