First Australians

A detailed drawing of various hunting implements and weapons. The illustration includes spears, shields, boomerangs, clubs, and other tools, arranged in a grid-like pattern on a plain background. Each item is depicted with precise lines and shading, with some labelled using letters A and B.

Port Jackson Painter, Aboriginal hunting implements and weapons, 1790, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135230406

Topic

Explore how food production and gathering methods have evolved over time, using artworks and photographs from our collection.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

A watercolor painting showing a central elongated figure resembling a fish or marine mammal, with a grid-like pattern. Above the main figure, three smaller, simpler outlines of turtles are sketched. The background consists of soft, earthy tones and textured brushstrokes.

William Westall, Chasm Island, native cave painting, 1803, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138890494

Connections to Country

Topic

Explore early European encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art through the work of William Westall and engage students in considering the cultural significance of special places.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

Deadly Dialogues: Joe Williams and Alethea Beetson

Joe Williams and Dr Alethea Beetson in conversation as part of our Deadly Dialogues series.

Event

First Australians

Video

A fire burning on sand with a night sky behind it

Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie

Astrophysicist and author Karlie Noon held a conversation with Celeste Carnegie discussing the astronomic heritage of Noon's Kamilaroi Peoples and her journey as an ambassador for youth and astronomy.

Event

First Australians

Video

Three pieces of ephemera from the 2023 Referendum

A selection of publicly donated referendum items in our collection.

Donate your 2023 Referendum campaign material

We're calling on you to help us collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Blog

A colour pencil hand drawing of Murray Island with hand written notes.

Bryan Keon-Cohen, Greg McIntyre, Queensland Supreme Court and Australia High Court, Papers of Bryan Keon-Cohen [manuscript] : the Mabo case, 1981-2000, 1981, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-224077217

Edward Koiki Mabo

Topic

In 1992, a decade-long legal battle over Indigenous land rights came to an end.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

Ferguson Collection

Over 32,000 items, including rare books, pamphlets, maps, and ephemera, covering topics such as Oceania, transport, and literature. Compiled by Sir John Alexander Ferguson, it is a key resource for Australian history and bibliography.

Collection guide

Vincent Lingiari and two other men seated

Michael Jensen, Vincent Lingiari at Wattie Creek [(Daguragu), Northern Territory] when they had water on tap, 1977, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086604

First Australians collections

We hold a diverse range of material, offering a rich interpretation of Australia's past and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

First Australians

Information article

Cover of book 'Lookin for your mob: a guide to tracing Aboriginal family trees'

Diane Smith and Boronia Halstead, Lookin for your mob : a guide to tracing Aboriginal family trees by Diane Smith and Boronia Halstead, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn354970

First Australians family history

Access resources to help you research your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history including records for births, deaths and marriages, missions, military service and information about the Stolen Generations.

First Australians

Research guide