Today we commemorate Eddie Mabo’s courageous 10-year campaign for recognition of traditional Indigenous land rights.

Mabo spent a decade seeking official recognition of his people’s ownership of Mer island, in the Torres Strait, in a fight that became known as the `Mabo’ case.

On June 3, 1992, the High Court of Australia agreed with Mabo, ruling that Indigenous people had ownership of the land long before European settlement.

The decision marked a turning point for reconciliation in Australia because it acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique connection with the land.

It also led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993 to set out how native title interests are formally recorded and recognised.

We asked John Lochowiak, Manager, Aboriginal Services Adelaide, what the day means to him and why it is seen as a cornerstone of reconciliation.

View the video here.