Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day

Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day commemorates the plight and contributions of over 62,000 South Sea Islanders who were forcibly brought to Queensland between 1863 and 1908 to work in various industries such as sugar, pastoral, fishing, and cotton. This period resulted in the decimation of 83 Pacific Islands populations. In 1994, then Prime Minister Paul Keating officially recognized Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) as a “distinct cultural group” under legislation. On this day, many government agencies raise the ASSI flag in recognition of their history, culture, and enduring contributions to Australian society.