Noel Pearson Biography

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Noel Pearson (born June 1965 in Cooktown, Australia) is an Indigenous Australian lawyer, land rights activist and Director of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, an organisation which promotes the economic and social development of Cape York.

Life and work

Pearson grew up at Hope Vale, a Lutheran Mission in the Cape York Peninsula. His article Walking in two worlds provides background on the history of his family and the community he comes from.

Recognised as one of the foremost Indigenous thinkers and advocates in Australia, Noel Pearson is a law graduate from the University of Sydney. He has an arts degree with honours in history from the same university: his thesis focussed on the history of the Hope Vale Lutheran Mission.

In 1990 he co-founded Cape York Land Council where he was Executive Director until he resigned in 1996. He was legal advisor for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. He now continues to advise a number of Indigenous organisations in Cape York.

Following the Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia Noel Pearson played a key part in negotiations over the Native Title Act 1993 as a member of the Indigenous negotiating team.

He has advocated for self-determination for Indigenous people and criticised approaches that keep Indigenous people dependent on welfare and disempowered in the name of "progressive" policies, a position outlined in his 'Light on the Hill' speech in 2000.

Articles

• Queenslander offers way ahead for ALP 2 December 2006.
  
• Skewed world view 25 November 2006.
  
• Uses of layered identities 18 November 2006.
  
• The right side of the law 11 November 2006.
  
• Menace of a material world view 4 November 2006.
  
• Walking in two worlds 28 October 2006.
  
• A peculiar path that leads astray 21 October 2006.
  
• Properties of integration 14 October 2006.
  
• Road to responsibility 30 September 2006.
  
• A mighty moral victory 23 September 2006.
  
• Don't listen to those who despise us 26 June 2006.
  
• Peace and prosperity for Indigenous Australians On Line Opinion, 28 October 2005.
  
• What Cape York communities can do to help themselves On Line Opinion, 15 June 2001.
  
• How the Commonwealth Government can help stop Aboriginal welfare dependency On Line Opinion, 15 December 2000.
  

Collections of articles

• Articles compiled by Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership (2000 to present).
  
• Articles compiled by Cape York Partnerships (2001 to 2004).
  

Profiles and interviews

• Pearson's revolution The Age, 28 October 2006.
  
• Profile of Noel Pearson Background Briefing, ABC.
  
• Interview with Noel Pearson and his brother Gerhardt Australian Story, ABC.
  
• Action needed to stop ongoing Aboriginal crisis: Pearson interview on The 7.30 Report, ABC.
  
• The new deal Sydney Morning Herald, on Pearson's efforts to promote change in Cape York.
  

Short biographies

• Noel Pearson Cape York Partnerships.
  
• Noel Pearson Brisbane Institute.
  

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