Who was Charles Nelson Perkins?
Q: Who was Charles Nelson Perkins?
A: Charles Nelson Perkins was an Australian activist and Aboriginal leader, as well as a professional football player.
Q: Where did he grow up?
A: He grew up in Alice Springs.
Q: What were his parents' backgrounds?
A: His mother was Arrernte and his father was Kalkadoon.
Q: What university did he graduate from?
A: He graduated from the University of Sydney in 1965.
Q: What campaign did he take part in to raise awareness of Aboriginal people's living conditions?
A: In 1965, he took part in the Freedom Ride campaign, which aimed to raise public awareness of the standards of living, literacy and health conditions among the Aboriginal population.
Q: What happened during the 1967 referendum that allowed for special laws specifically for Aboriginal people?
A: During the 1967 referendum, it was decided that Aboriginal people would be counted in censuses and parliament could make special laws specifically for them.
Q: What position did Perkins hold at the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs?
A: From 1969 onwards, Perkins worked as a permanent secretary at the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, making him the first Indigenous Australian to become head of a federal government department.
