Blackbirding descendants fight for Australian South Sea Islander recognition | ABC Australia

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For Aunty Doris Leo, advancing the rights of Australian South Sea Islanders has been a lifelong labour.

Now aged in her 80s, her work has taken on a renewed urgency to educate younger Australians about the nation’s shameful blackbirding era before her generation passes on.

“Not a lot of people knew about the history of blackbirding days,” Aunty Doris said.

This week marks 27 years since the Commonwealth Government formally recognised Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) as a distinct cultural group.

Recognition was a turning point for South Sea Islander people, a community born out of the legalised slavery of Pacific Islanders from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in a practice known as blackbirding.

Ms Leo’s brother-in-law, Uncle Butch Leo remembered the meetings held at his family’s property in Nerimbera – just outside of Rockhampton.
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