Arabic version: إرث البروفيسورة ماري آن بن-سالليك يحتفل به في التعليم والدعوة
Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, a pioneering figure in Aboriginal education, health, and human rights, passed away last Saturday at the age of 85. She is remembered as a ‘trailblazer’ for her extensive contributions to academia and her unwavering advocacy for equity for Aboriginal people. According to ABC News, she was the first Aboriginal person to graduate from Harvard University with a PhD.
Born in Broome, Western Australia, in 1940, Professor Bin-Sallik’s journey began in a large family before moving to Darwin, where she faced significant educational barriers. Despite being steered towards domestic work, she pursued a career in nursing, becoming the first Aboriginal person to graduate in nursing studies from Royal Darwin Hospital in 1962.
Her commitment to education led her to Adelaide, where she became involved with the Aboriginal Task Force at the South Australian Institute of Technology, the first Indigenous higher education program in Australia. Eventually, she became its coordinator, shaping the future of Indigenous higher education.
Professor Bin-Sallik’s academic journey culminated at Harvard, where she earned her doctorate. Throughout her career, she held numerous prestigious positions, including Dean of the University of South Australia’s College of Indigenous Education and Research. Her impact extended beyond academia, as she also served as a Co-Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, commonly known as the Bringing Them Home Report.
Her funeral will take place in Darwin on Monday, with family requesting donations to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in lieu of flowers. Professor Bin-Sallik leaves behind her daughters, Rokiah and Lisa, and her grandchildren, along with a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
