Vincent Lingiari | |
|---|---|
 "Vincent, May 1968"; charcoal on paper, by Frank Hardy | |
| Born | 13 June 1908 Victoria River Gorge, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Died | 21 January 1988 (aged 79) Daguragu, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Occupation | Stockman at Wave Hill Station |
| Years active | 1930s−1987 |
| Known for | Aboriginal rights activistWave Hill walk-off |
| Spouse | Blanche Nangi |
| Children | 8 |
| Awards | Order of Australia |
Vincent Lingiari AM (/lɪŋdʒɪjɑːri/; 13 June 1908 or 1919 – 21 January 1988) was an Australian Aboriginal rights activist of the Gurindji people. In his early life he started as a stockman at Wave Hill Station, where the Aboriginal workers were given no more than rations, tobacco and clothing as their payment. After the owners of the station refused to improve pay and working conditions at the cattle station and hand back some of Gurindji land, Lingiari was elected and became the leader of the workers in August 1966. He led his people in the Wave Hill walk-off, also known as the Gurindji strike.
On 7 June 1976, Lingiari was named a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Aboriginal people. The story of Lingiari is celebrated in the Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody song "From Little Things Big Things Grow".