[1] In the late 1960s he travelled to the United States to attend a Pan-Pacific Conference, where he was inspired by the Black Panther Party to advocate for increased rights for Aboriginal Australians.
McGuinness forged connections with more radical Aboriginal activists from across Australia, such as Gary Foley (whom he mentored) and Denis Walker, and the world.
[6] Despite his generally radical stance, he did not dismiss non-Aboriginal activists, and praised the work of white campaigners such as Stan Davey and Gordon Bryant in the late 1950s and 1960s.
McGuinness created the film as an anthropology assignment, in collaboration with his non-Aboriginal friend Martin Bartfeld, on a budget of A$500.
[15][a] His son Kelli McGuinness was a member of a 1990s band called Blackfire, with Kutcha Edwards as lead singer.