The challenges facing Australia's Indigenous peoples were put in the spotlight like never before in 2015.
And a change in government meant a handover of a number of those issues, including constitutional recognition.
Rachael Hocking takes a look back at some of the moments that stood out for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 2015.
The year began with a solemn reflection.
In February, then prime minister Tony Abbott reiterated his Government's commitment to "Close the Gap" on Indigenous disadvantage.
He emphasised that, overall, Indigenous Australians are leading healthier lives but admitted it was falling short in other ways.
"(Goals) to halve the gap in reading and numeracy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and to halve the gaps in employment outcomes, have either not been met or are not on track to be met."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called on Mr Abbott to introduce a justice target into the Close the Gap framework.
He pointed out the rate of jailing Indigenous Australians had almost doubled in the past decade.
Meanwhile, prominent Indigenous lawyers and activists criticised cuts to funding for Indigenous health, legal and family-violence support services.
And Australia was once again reminded of the tragedy of Indigenous people dying in custody.
There was heckling of West Australian premier Colin Barnett over the death of a young Aboriginal woman, known as Ms Dhu for cultural reasons.
She died days after being locked up in a West Australian jail last year over unpaid fines.
An inquest heard Ms Dhu had broken her ribs months before she was locked up and repeatedly complained of pain and breathing difficulties.
But police said they had believed she was faking the pain.
And, Indigenous people across Australia continued to protest news from Western Australia in 2014 that the Barnett Government planned to close 150 remote communities.
That word came after the Federal Government said it would no longer help fund them.
Tony Abbott was targeted for criticism after a radio interview where he backed the State Government's plan.
Mr Abbott said governments could not endlessly subsidise people who choose to live far away from schools and jobs.
"What we can't do is endlessly subsidise lifestyle choices if those lifestyle choices are not conducive to the kind of full participation in Australian society that everyone should have."
Mr Barnett back-peddalled in the middle of the year, saying the number of communities to close is uncertain.
And he announced a consultation process with Aboriginal community leaders in the lead-up to any closures.
Following the change of federal leadership in September came a historic announcement for Indigenous Australia.
New prime minister Malcolm Turnbull introduced the first Indigenous federal frontbencher, Ken Wyatt, as assistant health minister.
Mr Wyatt followed his appointment with a strong message for other politicians.
"Every single Member should get out into their electorate and meet with Aboriginal communities and organisations and get time to understand what are the gaps within their own electorates. Because when you understand what a gap is, then you tend to come back and fight for the change, or fight for resources."
Mr Turnbull inherits the controversial issue of constitutional recognition for Indigenous people.
Late in the year, he addressed the topic, which has bipartisan support after the announcement of a 16-member referendum council led by prominent Indigenous leader Patrick Dodson.
"We are working today with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to right a great wrong. Constitutional reform, as I know from experience, is not for the faint-hearted, nor, regrettably, is it particularly straightforward or easy. But I know that, around this table, we have enormous goodwill, we have bipartisan commitment, bipartisan leadership."
But there continues to be growing opposition to a referendum within the Indigenous community.
One member of the referendum council, Professor Megan Davis, has questioned whether a referendum should be held at all.
"If the reforms aren't going to make a significant difference to their lives, if it's not going to advance the legal status or position that they have currently, then it's a huge amount of political capital and money to expend on something that's not going to take us forward."
And, finally, 2015 was the year a conversation about racism pushed into the national conscience.
Retired Sydney Swans AFL star and former Australian of the Year Adam Goodes found himself at the centre of controversy when crowds began booing him during the season.
The booing escalated in the Indigenous round when he celebrated a goal with an Indigenous war dance.
The veteran has since retired from the game and taken on the role of brand ambassador for the retailer David Jones, with rumours he might join politics.
Adam Goodes responded to those who booed him with a statement of pride.
"Understand what I was doing. It was a war cry. It was a battle cry at you guys, saying, 'This is who I am. This is what I represent.'"
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