As the news of Queen Elizabeth's death reverberates across the globe, commentary from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been prevalent.
Opinions have ranged from personal stories about interactions with the long-serving monarch, to the legacies of colonisation overseen by the British Royal family.
Elizabeth passed away overnight at the family's castle in Scotland at the age of 96, with Prince Charles to succeed her as king.
'She was special'
Wallabies Legend Mark Ella had met the Queen almost ten times during his sporting career and spoke fondly of the monarch, describing her as a "one of the most honest people" he'd ever met and having a great sense of humour.
He remembered when he and his wife were invited by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke to the opening of Parliament House in Canberra, with the Queen in attendance.
“I remember in the room at the Lodge there were a lot of these gifts for the Queen. One was a bronze bust and it was horrible, my wife Kim was right next to me. I said to her ‘oh my god that is horrible’, I was being as quiet as I could," he laughed.
“And then all of a sudden, her Majesty said ‘yes Mark, I rather agree’.
"I said ‘oh my gosh your Majesty, I didn’t mean it’ but then said she has a lot of space in Buckingham Palace so she could keep it there, and we had a bit of a laugh and giggle then."
Mark Ella playing for the Wallabies. Source: Rugby Australia
When Albert met Elizabeth
Renowned artist Vincent Namatjira has painted a series of works featuring the late Queen Elizabeth.
In 1954 his grandfather, Albert Namatjira, met the monarch and was awarded the Queen's Coronation Medal.
"This connection between my family history and the British Royal family is the reason why I've made so many paintings of the Queen and the royal family," he said.
"When I heard the news today I was pretty shocked - I've been reflecting on the fact that the Queen lived to 96, while my great-grandfather passed away when he was only 57.
"Personally I'd like to see Indigenous leaders and heroes past and present have the same level of recognition and respect that the royal family does."
The painter said he might retire from painting the Queen, and instead turn his attention to the new King Charles.
Vincent Namatjira, Queen Elizabeth and Vincent (On Country), 2018, acrylic on canvas, 48 × 61". Source: Artforum
'In a world dominated by men'
Northern Territory Minister Chansey Paech recalled how he heard stories in his youth about her visit to Alice Springs in 1963.
"It was a highlight for the town and I can still remember the enamel plates that hung on my grandmother’s dining room wall in her house in Eastside," he wrote.
"Every year we’d stay up late to watch the Queen’s Christmas message and my grandmother would never hear a bad word said about the Queen…in fact, while the Queen was speaking, we weren’t allowed to say any words!
"Today I’m thinking of my grandmother and everyone else whose lives were touched by the Queen. In a world dominated by men, she was for a long time the only woman in a role of power and an inspiration to many."
Fellow Territorian and Labor Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour posted a brief message to her Facebook page reading that "Her Majesty was the most dedicated of leaders, a source of comfort to us all," while CLP Senator Jacinta Price thanked the Queen, saying "may you rest in peace."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip watch as Warren Clements makes fire by rubbing sticks in Cairns in 2002. Source: AP
An 'architect' of colonisation
Professor of Indigenous Studies at Sydney's Macquarie University, Sandy O'Sullivan, reflected on the effects of colonisation via the IndigenousX Twitter account.
"For those saying we should be magnanimous about the passing of the queen, a reminder that the queen inserted herself into the lives of Indigenous people here multiple times. She wasn't a bystander to the effects of colonisation and colonialism, she was an architect of it," they said.
"I'm not here to lampoon the crown or the queen. Though I thoroughly support those who are - it's an important act of resistance. But what I will do is hold the mirror up to the crown and to the queen. She was the one who maintained a colonial rule, her boot on us."
Meanwhile, Professor of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Queensland Bronwyn Fredericks took aim at critics of the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Queen's death.
"It’s inappropriate to tell Indigenous people living in a colonised country that continues to deny Indigenous rights how we should feel & behave in regards to the death of a British monarch & the head of the Commonwealth!" she said.
Lowering of Aboriginal flag criticised
Twitter users also pointed to the fact that both the Australian and Aboriginal flags have been lowered to half-mast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge today.
"I just heard on the radio that they are flying both flags on the harbour bridge at half-mast today…so that means the Indigenous flag…are they like for real?" said Lowanna Gibson.
Noongar writer Claire G. Coleman also shared her views on the same scenario at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
"I’m not sure what I think of the Aboriginal flag being at half mast for the queen coloniser … it’s really iffy." she wrote.
A picture showing the Aboriginal flag at half-mast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: AFP
'Parliament should sit'
New CEO of progressive activist group GetUp!, Bundjalung woman Larissa Baldwin, pointed towards the Australian Government's decision to postpone parliament sitting for 15 days following the death.
"As an Aboriginal woman she’s not my Queen but it just feels so wrong for a modern Democracy," she said.
We have cost of living pressures, a third La Niña to hit & our health workers are in crisis ... parliament should sit next week."
Looking at the future
There's also been discussion already about Australia's future with becoming a republic and movement on Treaty already mentioned. Veteran arts and media personality Rhoda Roberts said "it's a tough one."
"I think we respect the monarchy as we respect most people as indigenous people and we respect the roles they play however we have since colonisation been talking and voicing our opinions of us as sovereign nation as the first peoples of this country," she said.
"So perhaps with this passing there could be more honest dialogue about how we do look at our independence."
More to come.
