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From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920–1970 was developed as a companion exhibition to the extensive Collaborating for Indigenous Rights site.

This exhibition told the largely unknown story of Indigenous and non-Indigenous activists who fought together for justice and equal rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It detailed the achievements and sacrifices of the struggle through personal stories, rarely seen objects and protest material.

Previously on show at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra from 10 September 2009 to 8 March 2010 and travelled Australia until 26 May 2012.

Memories of mission life Eric Bell, a Ngunnawal elder, recalls his childhood memories of growing up on an Aboriginal mission.
Mary Terszak's story Mary Terszak reflects on how being a member of the Stolen Generations has affected her life.
Seats of segregation Gumbayngirr elder Martin Ballangarry tells of childhood days attending the local cinema.
Personal stories Interviews with 13 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians exploring their stories of discrimination and survival.

10 Sep 2009

Get Up, Stand Up public forum

Contemporary forms of Indigenous protest are examined by historian John Maynard, film director Rachel Perkins, elder Martin Ballangarry and hip-hopper Brothablack in a forum coinciding with the Museum’s From Little Things Big Things Grow exhibition.
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Presenters: Martin Ballangarry, Brothablack, John Maynard and Rachel Perkins
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Acknowledgements

The exhibition From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920–1970 was developed from an Australian Research Council Linkage project which included the National Museum of Australia, Monash University, State Library of Victoria and National Archives of Australia.

The chief researcher for this project was Dr Sue Taffe, author of Black and White Together FCAATSI: The Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, 1958–1973, and a website on the same topic.

The National Museum would like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr Taffe's research and assistance to this exhibition.

This exhibition was supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.

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