Bruce McGuinness
Bruce Brian McGuinness (17 June 1939 – 5 September 2003) was an Australian Aboriginal activist.
A Wiradjuri man, McGuinness was born in Cootamundra. He studied law at Monash University but did not accept his degree. In the late 1960s he travelled to the United States to attend a Pan-Pacific Conference, where he was inspired by the Black Panther Party to advocate for increased rights for Aboriginal Australians. He joined the Aboriginal Advancement League and helped establish the Victorian Aboriginal Health Council. He joined the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders and became its Victorian state director, but in 1970 broke away to form the National Tribal Council with Gary Foley, Denis Walker and Naomi Mayers.[1][2][3]
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Tranby College shortly before his death from emphysema in 2003.[1]
References[]
- ^ a b "Activist for Aboriginal rights: Black elder's quest for dignity and justice". The Age. The Koori History Website Project. 2 October 2003.
- ^ "Bruce McGuinness". National Museum of Australia.
- ^ "MCGUINNESS, Bruce Brian". Herald Sun.
- 1939 births
- 2003 deaths
- Australian indigenous rights activists