These methods have included "the killing method", "segregation" late 1800s until the 1940s, "assimilation" from the 1940s to the late 1960s and "integration" from the early 70s (Burgmann, 1993). In more recent years the successes of the Indigenous movements have begun to be realised as we move towards an era of Indigenous self management and self determination. .
The indigenous movements began with the coming of European settlement. According to popular mythology, settlement of Australia was achieved peacefully and the "natives" of Australia gave up their land, rights, and freedom peacefully. Although this may be what many Australians would like to believe there is another history beginning to be told, that the Indigenous people of Australia tried in vain to keep control of their land and culture (Brisbane, n.d.). .
Until the passing of both the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 and the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, " Australia was part of the dominions of the Crown- which meant that all inhabitants were considered to be British subjects (Tripcony, 2001). Until the passing of these acts, Aboriginals were not considered separate; this meant that Aboriginal people had the right to vote, although they were not treated as citizens of Australia (Tripcony, 2001). The term citizenship implies equality of rights, freedoms, duties and responsibilities, but Indigenous Australians were refused many of the freedoms although they were expected to fulfill their duties and responsibilities (Burgmann, 1993). .
After the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 and the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 were passed, Indigenous Australian became more disenfranchised from mainstream society (Tripcony, 2001). The passing of these acts also meant that Aboriginals no longer had the right to vote or to citizenship, unless granted. To be granted citizenship an Indigenous person needed to prove that they had accepted the western, "civilised" manner of living and rejected their traditional culture and heritage (Burgmann, 1993; Tripcony, 2001).
