The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) has launched the Giving Land Back website, to inspire members of the public to return private land, and make donations to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
The ALCT has also been granted charity status, making any public donations, which would go towards the purchase of land parcels across the state, tax-deductible.
"Today is the first time that our community has come forward and asked the broader Tasmanian public for support, and for tangible actions to be undertaken," Rebecca Digney, manager of the ALCT said.
"Giving land back as a campaign is our response to seeing the generosity of others, outside of the Aboriginal community.
"It’s about seeing that there is a need, it’s about giving everyday people the opportunity to help," she said.
Crown Land returns have not occurred in lutruwita/Tasmania since 2005, but in 2019, Tom and Jane Tenniswood returned more than 100 hectares of their east coast property to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
"They (Tom and Jane Tenniswood) demonstrated through incredible generosity, that it was possible to take a moral stance, and to address some of the wrongdoings that were committed against Aboriginal people," Ms Digney said.
“Reconciliation is positive but there is too much talk, too many documents and little to no action," Jane Tenniswood said.
"Giving land back is real action that can genuinely take us all forward together.
"I don’t think (land return) is up to governments either... we have to work with one another, in partnership, in collaboration, not all pulling in different directions. And I think this gift of land can be a symbol for us all coming together," Mrs Tenniswood said.
Back in 2019, Tom Tenniswood and his wife Jane gifted the Tasmanian Aboriginal community part of their east coast property. Source: Supplied
Less than 1% Aboriginal-owned
Chairman of the ALCT, Michael Mansell, said land return is a way to honour the importance of Country to Aboriginal people.
"Because without our Land, we are a diminished people," he said.
"We cannot honour our past, and our ancestors, without our Land."
According to the ALCT, less than one per cent of lutruwita/Tasmania is in Aboriginal ownership.
"Current claims for the return of unallocated Crown Land are being overlooked by the government," Ms Digney said.
Through the website, members of the Tasmanian public/private landowners are given a number of ways to help return Land to Aboriginal people.
They can make monetary donations starting at $2, gift parcels of Land, or bequest land to the Aboriginal community at the end of their life.
Michael Mansell is the chairman of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. Source: Supplied
"Some people in the state of Tasmania have much more land than they need," Ms Digney said.
"Some have land that they cannot manage, because what they have is just so vast. Some people have land, and they have nobody to pass it onto, and some people who have land just want the opportunity to take a step, to right past wrongs."
In 2005, truwana/Cape Barren Island was returned to the Aboriginal community.
Fiona Maher is the truwana Rangers Coordinator on the Island and spoke about how that Land Return resulted into positive outcomes for the local Aboriginal community.
"The return of the Cape Barren Island has brought country, culture and community together," she said.
"We are connected, and that’s how we’re meant to be.
"It has created and increased cultural knowledge, pride, and lots of benefits both culturally, socially and environmentally.
"Those are the benefits we get out of working on our own Land."
