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Pearl Gibbs (1901-1983)
Pearl Gibbs changed Australia's constitution. Pearl joined forces with activists Jessie Street and Faith Bandler to campaign for the 1967 referendum. Together they campaigned for over 10 years, collecting more than 100,000 signatures. 90.77% of Australians voted yes during the 1967 referendum. For the first time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were formally recognised as part of Australia's population.
Over the course of her lifetime Pearl "knew and called upon Australians of all kinds, from all rungs of society" to champion self-determination and sovereignty for First Nations people (Gilbert, 2005). She is recognised as one the most important women activists in the early 20th century.
Over the course of her lifetime Pearl "knew and called upon Australians of all kinds, from all rungs of society" to champion self-determination and sovereignty for First Nations people (Gilbert, 2005). She is recognised as one the most important women activists in the early 20th century.
To tell Pearl's story, these are some of the sources we consulted...
Stephanie Gilbert's article – Never Forgotten: Pearl Gibbs (Gambanyi)
AIATSIS Article - The 1967 Referendum
National Museum of Australia - Indigenous Referendum
The Conversation - Right wrongs, write Yes’: what was the 1967 referendum all about?
The National Library of Australia -The Campaign
P.s. Head HERE for the National Capital Authority's self-guided walking tour of Reconciliation Place.
AIATSIS Article - The 1967 Referendum
National Museum of Australia - Indigenous Referendum
The Conversation - Right wrongs, write Yes’: what was the 1967 referendum all about?
The National Library of Australia -The Campaign
P.s. Head HERE for the National Capital Authority's self-guided walking tour of Reconciliation Place.
If you liked learning about Peal Gibbs, we recommend checking out...
To learn more about the 1967 referendum, read Megan Davis and George Williams' book Everything you Need to Know About the Referendum to Recognise Indigenous Australians
Additionally, the National Museum of Australia's video Defining Moments: 1967 referendum is a great summary of how the 1967 referendum changed Australia.
To discover Australia's rich history of First Nations activism check out the Creative Spirits'Protest Timeline
To hear contemporary First Nation's people perspective on the legacy of the 1967 referendum listen to ABC's podcast The 1967 Referendum
Check out this great article by Paul Daley in the Griffith Review on enduring traditions of First Nations protests in the federal capital.
Our ability to tell Pearl's story was made possible by the following people...
Our ability to tell Pearl's story was made possible by the dedicated work of First Nations researchers and activists.
We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country – the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.