Michael Ross Indigenous Land Rights Advocate

Good Morning/Afternoon, I am Niveditha Poovannan from Mt Gravatt State High School. I am here to talk about an inspiring person, Michael Ross. Michael is an indigenous rights advocate who has successfully secured one of the largest transfers of aboriginal freehold land in Australia’s history. An Olkola man, Michael was appointed by his elders to lead his people in the emerging era of land rights. Since then he dedicated his life to securing land right and giving protection for his people of Cape York. Land rights is important because it would provide the means by which the Aboriginal community could go through the process of reconstruction. This motivating and accountable man has deserved the Local Hero Award.

Michael Ross commanded respect wherever he went. Michael was then selected by his elders to lead his people and protect their land. Since then he committed his life to make safe land rights. His elders must have chosen him mainly because he had the potential to make a difference and is confident with whatever he does. We can clearly tell he thinks indigenous land rights matters and wants to put a change to it. Michael Ross once said “Land rights are important to all indigenous people as it's the land you belong to and that's where you come from.” Michael Ross has put so much effort into supporting the idea of indigenous land rights, I believe that more Australians should also support land rights.

Indigenous Land rights is important to all Australians. Ever since the British people in 1788 came over to Australia Indigenous rights to their own land have been challenging. In the early 2000s they started to recognize indigenous people and passing more laws to look after their presence. “The land is my mother. Like a human mother, the land gives us protection, enjoyment and provides our needs – economic, social and religious. We have a human relationship with the land: Mother, daughter, son. When the land is taken from us or destroyed, we feel hurt because we belong to the land and we are part of it.” – Djinyini Gondarra. How could we ever take something that they respect as a human mother? It is crucial that they get the same land rights as us people do. Aren’t we all human? Then why do they get different land rights? Michael Ross Has been supporting them from a long time now, and made many achievements.

Michael Ross has put so much self-determination and hard work into this to make a difference. He deserves recognition because for his big achievement. Michael had transferred more than 700,000 hectares of land was handed back to the Olkola people in 2014. This made a big difference for the olkola people as they now a have a feeling of freedom or even having a sensation that someone actually cares about their land rights. Michael Ross stood up for them and put so much effort into being an indigenous land rights advocate. Michael Ross is a hard working role model for all Australians and a true example of a hero, which makes her a perfect candidate for this award.

Lands rights is important to everyone including the indigenous people. Just because the British came over does not mean they can take the rights for their own land. Michael Ross the indigenous land rights advocate has made an incredible achievement of being able to transferred 700000 hectares back to the olkola people. He has come a long way and made a big accomplishment. I have clearly stated more than enough information that why Michael has deserved the local Hero award Queensland.

Cite this page