Forget Australia’s referendum. Indigenous people make strides on their own

Yorta Yorta legends Sir Douglas Nicholls (left) and William Cooper emblazoned on the walls of Shepparton streets [Ali MC/Al Jazeera]

Shepparton, Australia  – Brad Boon gestures towards the towering mural, one of many that dot the small rural town of Shepparton in Australia’s southeastern state of Victoria.

The faces of Indigenous heroes William Cooper and Sir Douglas Nicholls stare defiantly across the smattering of shops under the glare of the midday Australian sun. Despite the onslaught of British colonisation and discrimination, Sir Douglas became the first Aboriginal person to be knighted and was made the governor of South Australia; he was also a talented Australian Rules football player.