The Yirrkala Bark Petitions were significant documents created by the Yolŋu people of Yirrkala, a community in Northern Territory, Australia, in 1963. These petitions were made from bark and presented to the Australian Parliament to protest against the mining of bauxite on their traditional lands. The Yolŋu sought recognition of their land rights and cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of their connection to the land. The petitions are considered one of the first formal assertions of Indigenous land rights in Australia. They played a crucial role in raising awareness about Indigenous issues and contributed to the broader movement for land rights, influencing future legislation and policies regarding Indigenous Australians.