For four decades Jeremy Beckett has shone a light on previously marginalised fields of life. While the many went in search of 'traditional culture', Beckett was fascinated to learn how people who often lacked wider recognition of their Aboriginality went about their lives. In the process he changed our understandings of those people and highlighted the issues they confronted. He has enriched our appreciation of the diversity of Indigenous identities and experiences. He was an expert witness leading up to the Mabo decision, and has brought Australian Indigenous studies into a world framework. His work continues to be influential to many: those who revisit his ideas here; and those who are newer to his work.