Research Catalog

Title

Rob Riley : an aboriginal leader's quest for justice / Quentin Beresford.

Author

Beresford, Quentin.

Publication

Canberra : Aboriginal Studies Press, 2006.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Description

xvi, 374 p., [26] p. of plates : ill., ports.; 24 cm.

Summary

"Widely regarded as one of the great Aboriginal leaders of the modern era, Rob Riley was at the centre of debates that have polarised views on race relations in Australia: national land rights, the treaty, deaths in custody, self-determination, the justice system, native title and the Stolen Generations." "He tragically took his own life in 1996, weighed down by the unresolved traumas of his exposure to institutionalisation, segregation and racism, and his sense of betrayal by the Australian political system to deliver justice to Aboriginal people. His death shocked community leaders and ordinary citizens alike." "Set against the tumultuous background of racial politics in an unreconciled nation, the book explores Rob's rise and influence as an Aboriginal activist. Drawing on perspectives from history, politics and psychology, this work explores Rob's life as a 'moral protester' and the challenges he confronted in trying to change the destiny of the nation." "Rob Riley's belief that he had failed in this quest raises profound questions about the legacy of past racial policies, the extent of institutionalised racism in Australia and the reluctance of Australia's politicians to show leadership on race." "Much of Rob Riley's life was a triumph of the human spirit against great adversity, and this legacy remains."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject

• Riley, Rob, 1954-1996
• Riley, Rob
• Aboriginal Australians > Biography
• Political activists > Australia > Biography
• Stolen generations (Australia) > Biography
• Recht
• Politik
• Australien
• Aborigines

Genre/Form

Biographies

Note

• "Aboriginal Studies Press is the publishing arm of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies"--T.p. verso.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 354-362) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

One: Prisoners of racism: The history of Rob Riley's family -- Two: Bound for assimilation: A childhood at Sister Kate's -- Three: Life at the margins: Growing up Aboriginal -- Four: Apprenticeship: Joining the Aboriginal Legal Service -- Five: Noonkanbah: The struggle for heritage -- Six: A bigger stage: The National Aboroginal Conference -- Seven: Betrayal: The demise of National Land Rights -- Eight: Enemies within: The end of the National Aboriginal Conference -- Nine: At the cutting edge: Political battles in Canberra -- Ten: War on all fronts: Return to the Aboriginal Legal Service -- Eleven: Mounting despair: The final campaigns.

ISBN

• 0855755024
• 9780855755027

LCCN

^^2006411386

OCLC

• 70704105
• SCSB-10278837

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library