Why Global Citizens Should Care
Global Citizen campaigns on the United Nations’ Global Goals, including goal 3 for good health and well-being for everyone. Current health and life-expectancy inequality among Australia's Indigenous population stem from racism and entrenched inequality. Join the movement and take action on these issues and more here. 

National Close the Gap Day, held annually on the third Thursday in March, is a time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike to show their support toward the shared goal of health and life-expectancy equality.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience higher levels of illness and rates of imprisonment than Australia's non-Indigenous population. At the same time, Indigenous Australians have a life expectancy gap of 8.6 and 7.8 years against non-Indigenous Australian women and men, respectively.

The coalition of organisations behind the day urges Australians to either host an activity, share information, or, most importantly, take concrete action in support of equality to mark the day. Listening to and sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's stories on social media is also a great place to start, they say. 

To honour the day, we’ve compiled a list of incredible Indigenous activists all working to draw attention to the inequality that persists between the populations.

From campaigning on Indigenous deaths in custody to white feminism and unconscious bias, these incredible change-makers are using their voices, humour and social accounts to pave the way for a better world.

We all need to listen and do better.

1. Nessa Turnbull-Roberts


As a child, Turnbull-Roberts was forcibly removed from her family. Since that day, she has fought to abolish the current system that sees a significant over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care and Indigenous deaths in custody. In 2019, the Bundjalung woman took home the 2019 Australia’s Young Person’s Human Rights Medal for her efforts.  

2. Joe Williams

A Wiradjuri man and former professional boxer and NRL player, Williams uses his charity The Enemy Within to inspire young people through motivational speaking workshops. His social media platform is abundant in activism, uplifting stories and words of encouragement.  

3. Amy Mcquire

As a journalist, Mcquire, a Darumbal and South Sea Islander woman, uses her voice to speak out against discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peeople in mainstream media and issues like Indigenous deaths in custody, patriarchal ideology and police brutality. 

4. Luke Pearson

Pearson, a Gamilaroi man, is the founder of IndigenousX, a 100% Indigenous owned and operated media, consultancy and training organisation. As a senior digital producer for Australia’s National Indigenous Television channel, Pearson uses his voice to highlight the need to improve Indigenous representation and participation in media. 

5. Summer May Finlay

A Yorta Yorta woman, Finlay is passionate about social justice and public health. She uses her Twitter account to form relationships, debate and advocate for an end to racial injustice against First Nations people. 

6. Lynore Geia

Since 2014, Geia, a Bwgcolman woman, has been behind the annual 15-hour Indigenous Health May Day — or #IHMayDay — a Twitter event highlighting Indigenous health issues that features purely Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.  

7. Nayuka Gorrie

Nayuka, a Kurnai, Gunai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman, is a screenwriter and activist who regularly speaks to constitutional recognition topics, mental illness, police brutality, white feminism and the desperate need for Black voices in the media.  

8. Dameyon Bonson

Bonson, a Mangarayi and Torres Strait Islander man, is the founder of Black Rainbow, a social enterprise in the prevention of Indigenous LGBQTI suicide and self-harm.

9. Meissa

@meissa.com.au

How you going Aunty @paulineindigenous ? 🤪 ##Aboriginal##Aboriginalaustralia##paulinehanson##blak##blakcomedy##blackcomedy

♬ original sound - Michael Aldag

Meissa is a Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Awabakal woman. She uses her comedy and TikTok account to recount her experiences as a bisexual Indigenous woman. A TikTok account link leads people to a page where Meissa shares a range of petitions and educational anti-racism resources for allies. 

10. Tarneen Onus Williams

A support worker, writer and filmmaker, Williams is a proudly Gunditj, Bindal, Yorta Yorta, Erub Mur Islander man who also identifies as non-binary. He explores the unconscious bias and ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation experienced by Indigenous Australians across his Twitter account.   

TopicsPovertyAustraliaRacismInequalityIndigenous AustraliansAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Editorial

Demand Equity

10 Indigenous Australian Activists Working to ‘Close the Gap’ That You Should Follow

By Madeleine Keck