Eddie Mabo was an Indigenous Australian activist from the Torres Strait Islands, renowned for his pivotal role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights in Australia. Born on June 29, 1936, on Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait, he fought against the Australian legal doctrine of terra nullius, which denied Indigenous peoples' land ownership rights. His landmark legal case, Mabo v Queensland (No. 2), resulted in the High Court of Australia recognizing Indigenous Australians' native title rights, changing the country's land laws and leading to the Native Title Act 1993. Mabo's activism significantly impacted Australian history and Indigenous land justice, making him a celebrated figure in the struggle for equality and sovereignty for First Nations people. He passed away in 1992 before the court ruling but remains a highly respected and inspirational leader.
