On 1 May 1946, nearly 800 Indigenous pastoral workers throughout the Pilbara defied the Aborigines Act 1905 (WA) and walked off in protest over lack of personal freedom, poor pay (often only rations) and sub-standard living conditions. Nyamal elder, Peter Kangkushot Coppin, was one of the key figures during Australia’s longest strike. During this strike Nyamal people started mining for Tin and Gold.