Clive Andrew Williams (1915–1980) was an Aboriginal Australian political activist.
Clive Andrew Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 February 1915 (most likely) |
| Died | 1 December 1980 |
| Resting place | buried in Goonellabah cemetery |
| Organization | Tranby Co-operative College for Aborigines.
Sydney Aborigines Progressive Association. Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI). |
| Known for | Activism for aboriginal Australian matters |
| Spouse | Ida Drew |
| Children | 3 sons, 6 daughters |
Early life
As a child he was one of the very few aboriginal people to be accepted into Casino Intermediate High School. [1]
Political activism.
During the 1960s Williams became involved with the Tranby Co-operative College for Aborigines at Glebe, Sydney, where he worked with religious leader William Alfred Clint. [1] During this time Williams was elected as the vice-preside of the Sydney Aborigines Progressive Association. [2]
According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Williams joined the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship, and was an attendee of the annual conferences of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI). [1]
In 1967 Williams was given a prominent role in the movie One Man's Road in which he and his wife shared stories of their lives. [3] [4] [5] The movie was produced by the Commonwealth Film Unit. [6] Upon the film's release, Williams discovered that the Australian Department of Territories had been using the movie as propaganda to promote the cultural assimilation of Aboriginal people. [1]
Later in life Williams was a member of a council of elders which worked with the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education on matters of Aboriginal recognition, especially the Bundjalung people. [1]
Williams died of Myocardial infraction in 1980. [1] After his death, one of his daughters followed in his footsteps and became an aboriginal cultural activist like her father. [7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Duncan, Alan T., "Clive Andrew Williams (1915–1980)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2024-06-13
- ^ Horner, Jack (2004). Seeking Racial Justice: An Insider's Memoir of the Movement for Aboriginal Advancement, 1938-1978. Aboriginal Studies Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-85575-468-6.
- ^ NFSA Films (2015-02-11). One Man's Road. Retrieved 2024-06-13 – via YouTube.
- ^ "One man's road | Robert Kingsbury | 1967 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ FitzSimons, Trish; Laughren, Pat; Williamson, Dugald (2011-01-31). Australian Documentary: History, Practices and Genres. Cambridge University Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-521-16799-4.
- ^ "One Man's Road | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia". www.nfsa.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "My Journey Through Land Rights - NSW Aboriginal Land Council". 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
