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First Nations

Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through the John Oxley Library's photos, manuscripts, oral histories, and digital stories.

4 men including Eddie Mabo at ANZAC Park, Mer Island, May 1989
30 years Mabo v Queensland, 1992–2022
Learn about the legal case that marked the first formal recognition of Indigenous land rights in Australia.
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Young man training with boxing gloves, Palm Island
Hamish Cairns Palm Island Photographs
Photographs showcasing life on Palm Island, including the boxing team, rodeo, island scenes, portraits, and behind-the-scenes shots from "Tall Man."
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Children in the playground of the school on Mabuiag Island, Queensland
Glass Plate Negatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
A rare collection of glass plate negatives featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including Barambah, Mapoon, Yarrabah, and more.
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Jagera Jarjum dancers walk onto the stage at the Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland, 1997.
Michael Aird photographs
Photographs from Michael's 1980-2000s work, mostly portraits of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from Brisbane, South East Queensland, Woorabinda, Townsville and the Torres Strait.
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Council members, Kowanyama, July 1972 - June 1973.
Craig Holmes Kowanyama photographs
Photographs of the Kowanyama community from 1974 and 1990, capturing traditional activities, social events, living conditions, horse racing, and the 1990 rodeo.
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two aboriginal dancers at the Laura festival
Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival Photographs
This photograph collection highlights the cultural significance of the Laura Festival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Members of the Cherbourg Golden Oldies, Queensland, 2001
Jo-Anne Driessens photographs
This collection captures life in Queensland in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Indigenous musicians at Woodford Folk Festival 2000.
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Aboriginal families from the Bloomfield River Mission, ca. 1884
Bloomfield River and District Photographs
Images of the Bloomfield River, local residents, and industries established in the district from 1880–1886.
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Pearl Divers, Torres Strait
Two gelatin silver print photographs, each with the signature of the photographer, Thomas McMahon, bearing his handwritten descriptions.
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29018-2 Reverend James Tait Scott Torres Strait Islands Papers
Reverend James Tait Scott Torres Strait Islands Papers
52 letters by Eliza and the Reverend James Tait Scott to Eliza's parents, sent from locations including Murray Island, Thursday Island, Darnley Island, Cooktown and more.
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Invasion Day rally
Invasion Day rally photographs
Photographs showing the 'Invasion Day' march held in Brisbane on Australia Day, 2018.
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Pencil drawing portraits of the heads and shoulders of three First Nations children
Margaret Lawrie Collection
Margaret Lawrie recorded many Torres Strait Islander genealogies between 1964 and 1973. Find out if your family is included in the collection.
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George Sibley, Tindale Genealogical Collection
Tindale Genealogical collection
Norman Tindale was an anthropologist based at the South Australian Museum. He recorded vast amounts of genealogical and other information about First Nations communities from all over Australia, the majority being collected during the 1920s and 1930s.
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Indigenous Languages Research Discovery Workshop participants, June 2019.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages
Did you know there are over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups in Queensland? State Library of Queensland supports communities in the revival, documentation and preservation of traditional languages. We acknowledge language heritage and knowledge always remain with the Traditional Owners, Elders, language custodians and other community members of the respective language nation.
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First Nations family outside wood building.
Who's Your Mob?
Tracing your First Nations family history and don't know where to start? Discover key resources for family history research.
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Visitors chatting and eating while gathered around a lit fire in the Talking Circle.
kuril dhagun
kuril dhagun is a welcoming and respectful place designated for First Nations communities to meet, gather and celebrate culture by sharing First Nations knowledge and stories. kuril dhagun provides access to First Nations clients who seek to engage with State Library services, resources and collections. It is also a culturally appropriate venue for First Nations community members, community groups and organisations to host their cultural events, meetings and other activities.
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State Library of Queensland commitments statement 

The material displayed contains Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and has been made available in accordance with State Library of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections Commitments. 

Read more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material accessed on the State Library of Queensland website

More information 

For more information, explore additional online resources about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the guide below.

Understanding First Nations collections of the John Oxley Library: Accessing resources online

State Library of Queensland resources and other related material involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content.

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