IAP Indigenous History and Why it's Important

At least how long have Aboriginal people been living in the land we now call Australia?

• 40,000 years

• 50,000 years

• 60,000 years

• 600,000 years

Answer explanation

There are varying estimates for how long Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on this continent, however, upwards of 60,000 years is what current research reveals.

What are the colours of the Aboriginal flag? 

• Red, black, yellow

• Red, black, blue

• Yellow, black, brown

• Red, yellow, brown

Answer explanation

The flag’s design consists of a coloured rectangle divided in half horizontally. The top half of the flag is black to symbolise Aboriginal people. The red in the lower half stands for the earth and the colour of ochre, which has ceremonial significance. The circle of yellow in the centre of the flag represents the sun. The designer Harold Thomas says the colours of the flag represent the Aboriginal people of Australia and their spiritual connection to the land. 

How many Aboriginal Australians served in World War II? 

• None

• Several hundred

• 1,000

• Between 3,000 and 5,000

Answer explanation

Despite discrimination and exclusion, thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have served in the Australian Defence Forces since the 1860s and possibly earlier. More than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served in the First World War, and more than 4000 in the Second World War. At least 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served in the Vietnam War.

Approximately how many Indigenous Australian languages were spoken on this continent before the First Fleet arrived in 1788?

• 50

• 150

• 200

• 250

Answer explanation

In Australia there are more than 250 Indigenous languages including 800 dialects. Each language is specific to a particular place and people, many of which, however, have lost most of its speakers. 

In some areas like Arnhem Land, many different languages are spoken over a small area. In other areas, like the huge Western Desert, dialects of one language are spoken. 

What happened in May 1967? 

• The first Aboriginal person was voted into parliament 

• For the first time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were included in the census 

• Aboriginal people could vote for the first time 

• Aboriginal people were granted citizenship 

Answer explanation

In a referendum held on May 27 1967, over 90% of Australians voted to amend the Constitution to the allow the Commonwealth (an official term for Australia) to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census. The first census to include Australia’s First Nations Peoples was held in 1971; prior to this, they were not counted towards Australia’s population. 

Approximately how many Indigenous Australian languages are still spoken in Australia today? 

• 10

• 120

• 200

• 250

Answer explanation

250+ languages were spoken on this continent before British settlement, and in 2016 it was found that only 120 languages were still used today; 90% were classified as endangered languages in 2019. 

While languages may have been lying dormant they are never lost. By drawing on the memories of Elders and historical records, languages are being recovered and revitalised for future generations. 

For almost a century, the Ngunnawal language had not been spoken fluently. Today, the Ngaiyuriija Ngunawal Language Group, comprised of several Ngunawal family groups, are revitalising their language, finding words thought lost, rediscovering language through journals, tapes and the few words held and shared by Elders. 

How many Indigenous prime ministers has Australia had? Hint: Australia has had 31 prime ministers since 1901.  

• 0

• 1

• 7

• 11

Answer explanation

Only one Prime Minister has come from a non-English speaking background (Chris Watson), and no Prime Minister has identified as an Indigenous Australian. This reflects the low level of ethnic diversity in the Commonwealth Parliament. Australia has also only had one female prime minister.  

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates what proportion of Australia’s population identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

• 3.3%

• 6.3%

• 9.3%

• 12.3%

Terra Nullius is a principle sometimes used in international law to justify claims that territory/land may be acquired by a state’s occupation of it. What does it mean? 

• Open country

• Free place

• Nobody's land

• Nobody's home

Answer explanation

In International Law, 'terra nullius' describes territory that nobody owns so that the first nation to discover it is entitled to take it over, as "finder's keepers". There has been much debate over whether it’s appropriate to say that Australia was ‘undiscovered’ if there had been people living here with distinct peoples/language/cultural groups for over 50,000 years.  

What is the traditional Aboriginal name of Melbourne as it was originally called by the Kulin Nation? 

• Melbournus 

• Eora

• Tartanya 

• Naarm 

Answer explanation

The first official name proposed was Glenelg. But Governor Sir Richard Bourke overruled this, and on his visit in March 1837 decided on Melbourne — after the then British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who resided in the village of Melbourne in Derbyshire in the English Midlands. Eora is the traditional nation of Gadigal Country in Sydney, Tartanya is the name given by the Kaurna Nation in Adelaide, Naarm is the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. During your time here, you might hear names like Wurundjeri Land or Wurundjeri Country. It’s common to use the name of the group of people + Land or Country.