New Guinea Council

Details

Organization Timeline

New Guinea Council opens under Dutch administration

📅 5 April 1961

The Dutch colonial administration inaugurated a representative council whose members included both elected and appointed representatives. It created a limited forum for Papuan political participation,...

New Guinea Council issues a manifesto for Papuan self-government

📅 19 October 1961

Council members adopted a manifesto and developed national symbols, including the Morning Star flag and the name West Papua. The initiative articulated Papuan political identity under Dutch rule as...

Dutch ordinances recognize Papuan flag and anthem for use alongside Dutch symbols

📅 18 November 1961

The Netherlands recognized the Morning Star flag and Papuan anthem under colonial ordinances that took effect on 1 December. This limited symbolic recognition reflected Papuan demands for...

Morning Star flag is raised beside the Dutch flag

📅 1 December 1961

The New Guinea Council and Dutch officials raised the Papuan Morning Star flag and played the anthem “Hai Tanahku Papua.” The ceremony marked a public claim to Papuan nationhood during Dutch...