Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags The Aboriginal flag The Torres Strait Islander flag The Aboriginal flag was designed in 1971 The Torres Strait Islander flag is by Harold Thomas, an artist and Luritja attributed to the late Bernard Namok man, originally from Central Australia. of Thursday Island, and was flown The black represents the Aboriginal people, the red for the first time in 1992. the earth and their spiritual relationship to the land, The flag is emblazoned with a white Dari and the yellow the sun, the giver of life. (headdress) which is a symbol of Torres Strait The Aboriginal flag was first raised in Victoria Islanders. The white five pointed star beneath it Square in Adelaide on National Aboriginal Day symbolises the five major island groups and the in 1971, but was adopted nationally by Aboriginal navigational importance of stars to these seafaring and Torres Strait Islanders in 1972 after it was people. The green stripes represent the land, the flown above the Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside black stripes represent the people, and the blue Parliament House in Canberra. the sea. The flag as a whole symbolises the unity of all Torres Strait Islanders. The Aboriginal flag is increasingly being flown by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. In view As with the Aboriginal Flag, the Torres Strait of its increasing importance in Australian society, Islander Flag is beginning to be flown more widely the Commonwealth Government initiated steps in and gaining more recognition as Torres Strait 1994 to give the flag legal recognition. Islander issues gain more prominence in Australia. After a period of public consultation, the In July 1995, both flags were proclaimed as official Government made its own decision in July 1995 flags in section 5 of the Flags Act 1953. At events that the flag should be proclaimed a Flag of at which flags are shown, the order of display, from Australia in section 5 of the Flags Act 1953. The an audience perspective from left to right, the flag was so proclaimed by the Governor General of Australian flag, the NSW flag, the Aboriginal flag Australia, William Hayden, on 14 July 1995. and the Torres Strait Islander flag. Reference: Working with Aboriginal people and communities a practice resource – 10, NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Aboriginal Cultural Protocols and Practices Policy, www.daa.nsw.gov.au/data/files//Aboriginal%20CulturalProtocolsandPractices PolicyFINAL.pdf.

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