This year might be a watershed moment for Australia. This year might be an opportunity for us to let go of the colonial shackles, prejudices, biases and fears we may have about treaties, reconciliation and our notions of what it is to be Australian. We have an opportunity to reframe our identity, to move forward with pride and honour.
In 2017 the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for a Voice to parliament enshrined in The Australian Constitution and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission.
'We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country. We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.'
Explained by Noel Pearson -"The Yolngu concept of Makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past. It is about acknowledging that something has been done wrong, and it seeks to make things right."
Making changes to the constitution requires a referendum and henceforth complicated legal discussions and interpretations of terminology. Understandably many First Nations communities have concerns and mistrust towards yet another government promise or piece of legislation, I get that. However it has taken us a long time to get this far and to have a referendum on the table to even consider.
The NO vote argues that First Nation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a voice already through their local politicians (…hello, we know how well that has worked!) We can do so much better than that.
On my bookshelf at home is a book written by my Grand Aunt Dr Constance Davey in 1956. Aunty Con (1883-1963) was a psychologist, her book Children and their Law Makers describes the impacts of “Guardianship” in South Australia; the removal of children for their better good, indenturing aboriginal children to settlers, the classification of quadroons and quarter quadroons, the colonial laws in place and the impacts that she observes, make my stomach churn.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture survived and thrived for 60,000 years before white settlement. Should they not have the right for self determination?
My real concern is that if the NO vote wins the opportunity to make set things right, to make amends to First Nations custodians of this land will be put off or considered too hot a potato to deal with politically just as the Daylight Savings debate in Queensland or the Republican issue has proven to be.
For this reason I will be voting YES and urge others to do the same. I have faith in First Nations Leaders to navigate the legislation and other issues that may arise as time goes on. I believe we will all benefit from the process of Makarrata.
“Makarrata means a coming together after a struggle, facing the facts of wrongs and living again in peace.”
The photograph above is from a project I was proud to be part of from 2010-2013, This is Our Story ASSI 150. It was a reconciliation project to remember 150 years since the first South Sea Islanders were brought as “indentured” labourers into Queensland to work on Cotton Plantation just outside of Beaudesert. The three year development process was supported by Peace and Conflict Studies Institute Australia (PACSIA) and brought together descendants of those first South Sea Islanders ( ASSI ) representatives from Vanuatu and other Pacific Island nations, including the council of Chiefs, Mununjali Elders, descendants of the original plantation owners, current landowners, historical societies , Scenic Rim Regional Council, artists and local community. The process involved lots of talking, sharing stories and truth telling. ( see case study)
I watched bigotry and division slip away, I watched pride, comradeship and healing develop. The reconciliation walk at the culmination of the project still sends shivers down my spine - in a good way. I have never been so proud to be an artsworker and never had such an understanding of what country means, what trauma can leave as a legacy and what true healing can look like.
If we can undertake this on a small scale then surely we can undertake this on a large scale and move forwards together. The arguments for voting NO just don’t seem to hold water and come from people trying to hold onto the status quo.
Please consider voting YES in the upcoming referendum.
Some Links that might be helpful.
Our mob have practical questions about the voice - The Guardian
National Indigenous Australians Agency
key arguments for and against the referendum- Canberra Times