Aboriginal activist Charles 'Chicka' Dixon to receive state funeral

A ringleader in the decade-long campaign for the 1967 referendum to include indigenous people in the census and in the 1972 erection of the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra, Mr Dixon died in a La Perouse nursing home on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by family.

His family decided yesterday to accept an offer from the Premier, Kristina Keneally, of a state funeral, but a date has not been set.

"Mr Dixon spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians," Ms Keneally said, describing him as a national figure and a statesman and ambassador for human rights and Aboriginal social justice.

Mr Dixon grew up at the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal mission on the South Coast before finding work as a labourer on the waterfront at Port Kembla and in Sydney. From there, he became involved with the Waterside Workers Federation and used the organising skills he learnt in the fight for indigenous rights.

Mr Dixon was chairman of the Aboriginal Arts Board and a foundation member of the first Aboriginal Legal and Medical Services in Redfern.

He upset the Australian government by taking an Aboriginal delegation to China in 1972 and was monitored extensively by ASIO along with several other activists at the time.

Jonathan Bogais, a journalist who is writing a book and producing a documentary about Mr Dixon with the late activist's daughter Rhonda, said he was enormously influential.

''He was a typical leader, who never wanted to be a politician but aimed at creating embarrassment for the state so it would react to situations. He spent his life creating a better situation for his people.''

Naomi Mayers, chief executive of Redfern's Aboriginal Medical Service, said Mr Dixon was one of the fighters who will be remembered from the '60s and '70s.

''He and his wife Elsa were really good at looking after the young people, and they idolised him,'' she said.

The Community Services Minister, Linda Burney, said Mr Dixon had iconic status across Australia. ''He was a mentor and teacher to thousands … the lessons in life you learnt were lessons that would serve you well forever.''

Source: www.smh.com.au/nsw/aboriginal-activist-charles-chicka-dixon-to-receive-state-funeral-20100322-qrad.html