Traces the early life of Charles Perkins as he grew up on a reserve and later separated from his relations and his involvement in the early Aboriginal rights movement activities in the 1960's. Shunned by white Australian society his experiences of racism spurred Perkins to go on to university and to challenge inequality by direct action against oppression and injustice, leading to the 1965 Freedom Ride. The film focuses on the movement's activities especially in the small New South Wales towns of Walgett and Moree, including interviews with the people who were involved, with excerpts of historical footage of the events.