In the early twentieth century, Aboriginal peoples began to organize themselves politically, through demonstrations and petitions demanding equality and the social and political rights that had been denied them. By the second half of the century, the Aboriginal struggle gained momentum with the first land rights claims and the establishment of organizations for social advancement. Official recognition of rights to land was high on the Aboriginal agenda, the centrality of land to Aboriginal social and spiritual life being paramount. At the end of the century universal suffrage became a reality for Aboriginal people. Campaigns brought about fundamental changes in official government policy; in 1972 assimilation policies were revoked in favor
