Gary Foley: The Firebrand of Aboriginal Activism.

Dr. Gary Foley (born 1950) is one of the most influential and outspoken figures in the history of Aboriginal activism in Australia — a man whose life’s work has challenged the nation to confront its deepest injustices. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, and a proud Gumbaynggirr man, Foley came of age during an era of immense social upheaval. His voice would soon become one of the defining ones in the modern Aboriginal rights movement.

Foley moved to Sydney in the late 1960s, where he became immersed in a growing network of politically conscious young Aboriginal people who refused to accept the status quo. In 1972, he helped establish the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra — a landmark act of protest that demanded land rights and sovereignty. The Embassy, still standing today, remains one of the most enduring symbols of Aboriginal resistance and self-determination.

Throughout the 1970s, Foley was at the centre of the Black Power movement in Australia. He helped set up the Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, initiatives that empowered local communities to take control of their own welfare and justice. His activism wasn’t confined to the streets — he became a powerful cultural voice through theatre, film, and academia, using every platform available to educate and provoke.

Foley’s intellectual legacy is equally formidable. After years of activism, he turned to scholarship, earning a PhD from the University of Melbourne, where he later became a lecturer in history and political thought. His research and teaching have focused on the history of Aboriginal resistance, challenging the whitewashed narratives that have long dominated Australian historiography.

Known for his fiery wit, unflinching honesty, and unwavering commitment to truth-telling, Gary Foley has spent over five decades fighting for justice, representation, and sovereignty for First Nations people. Whether standing before a crowd, a camera, or a classroom, Foley continues to remind Australia that history is not merely something to be remembered — it’s something to be reckoned with.