Post-1945

A complex social and spiritual system that defines one's identity, relationships and responsibilities to family, community and country

A fundamental expression of the connection between the Dreaming, the land and people in the form of art, stories, rituals and totems

A dutyesponsibility to be a custodian of the land and to care for and respect it

The ongoing process of depriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of land, children, culture and autonomy, beginning with invasion and continuing through government policies and social disadvantage

Roughly 1910–1970, governments and churches forcibly removed Indigenous children (especially of mixed descent) from their families to assimilate them into white society

Protection (1830s–early 1900s), Assimilation (1900s–1960s), Integration (1960s–early 1970s), Self-determination (from early 1970s)

Latin for "land belonging to no one"; a British legal fiction that Australia was empty, so no Aboriginal ownership, law or spirituality were recognised

It overturned terra nullius and recognised that the Meriam people of Mer held Native Title under their own traditional laws, linking spiritual and cultural connection to legal rights to land

That Native Title can coexist with pastoral leases; pastoral leases do not automatically extinguish Native Title

A form of land right recognised by Australian courts and legislation, based on ongoing traditional connection to land and waters under Aboriginal law and custom

The Dreaming provides the spiritual, moral and legal justification for Land Rights — it establishes custodianship of Country, defines identity through totems and skin names, and requires protection of sacred sites and songlines

Christianity 43.9%, No religion 38.9%, Islam 3.2%, Hinduism 2.7%, Buddhism 2.4%

The introduction of the instruction "If no religion, write none," which caused a 7x jump from 0.4% to 6.7%

When a person changes their religious affiliation from one denomination to another

The principle of separating religion from government, public life and other institutions

The movement towards unity among Christian denominations, expressed in shared statements, worship, and joint action on social issues

Ecumenism is Christian–Christian cooperation between denominations, while interfaith dialogue is cooperation and conversation between different religious traditions (e.g. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists)

A national body of major Christian churches that works to deepen unity between churches and coordinate common witness and service, including on reconciliation, climate, refugees and domestic violence

The process of healing cultural divisions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through greater acceptance, understanding, justice and equity, acknowledging past wrongs while valuing Aboriginal spiritualities and rights

It was the first national apology to the Stolen Generations for policies that inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss; it was a symbolic turning point that boosted reconciliation momentum and led to Closing the Gap targets

Through groups like ANTaR, NCCA joint statements on the Uluru Statement, the Catholic Church's recognition of Aboriginal heritage, and incorporating Indigenous practices like smoking ceremonies

Post-1945 European immigration increased Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity; from the 1970s, Asian and Middle Eastern immigration brought Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism, driving "other religions" from 0.8% (1971) to 10% (2021)

Land is sacred (not a possession), holds Dreaming stories, is the basis of identity, law, ceremony and kinship, and caring for Country is a spiritual obligation

It destroyed the relationships through which Dreaming, law and ritual responsibilities are taught, leaving many Aboriginal people without a clear spiritual identity or place in community