Today marks 28 years since the High Court of Australia handed down the landmark Mabo decision, bringing native title laws to Australia.
The historic decision changed the face of Australia and marked a turning point for Indigenous people and their communities, with the court finding that Australia was occupied when the British arrived.
Eddie Koiki Mabo was a Meriam man from Mer Island in the Torres Straits. The fight by Mr Mabo and others overturned the principle that Australia was terra nullius, or no one's land.
Mr Mabo challenged the legal system and politicians to fight for the rights of people to be recognised as traditional owners.
The decades-long battle was led by by Mr Mabo, Sam Passi, David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee and James Rice.
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Minister Craig Crawford said Mabo Day was an important part of National Reconciliation Week, and a chance for all Queenslanders to reflect upon Eddie Mabo's legacy.
"Mabo Day is held each year on 3 June to celebrate the landmark decision by the High Court to overturn the principle of terra nullius and recognise at common law, native title rights," he said.
"On this day in 1992, the High Court of Australia legally recognised the Meriam people as the Traditional Owners of Mer (Murray Island)," Mr Crawford said.
"Decades of advocacy ... paved the way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have their native title recognised under Australian law.
"Significant achievements such as this, contribute to the process of truth telling, as well as paving the path for current discussions like the Uluru Statement from the Heart and in Queensland, our important conversations about treaty."
Mr Crawford said Queenslanders celebrated Mabo Day through virtual commemorations, including livestreamed dialogues, performances and concerts.
"With social distancing in place due to COVID-19, events involving large groups of people gathering cannot be held, but many Queensland communities are hosting online Mabo Day celebrations," he said.
"The Mabo decision continues to influence reconciliation including across tenure resolution and efforts to legally recognise cultural practices such as traditional Torres Strait Islander child rearing practices in law."
