Why I’m voting YES!
Today, as a Nation, we face an historical opportunity presented by The Voice to change the national narrative of who we are, and where we are going. The call for a Voice has been in a response to the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, a First Nations led invitation to the Australian people for moving us forward through Voice. Treaty. Truth.
Many First Nations people surveyed over time (80%) support Constitutional recognition and a Voice. I acknowledge the community’s diverse perspectives and the robust dialogue that surrounds this important proposed constitutional amendment, and I champion an informed, respectful, and engaged democratic process to determine the outcome.
But to me this is a very clear cut, simple conversation, because it is about the story of this nation. Our nation. About the narrative that currently does not recognise us, unlike every other Commonwealth nation that acknowledges their first peoples in their constitution, Australia does not.
If the constitution is the birth certificate of the modern-day nation then I want to be on that birth certificate, because we have always been part of the story.
There are two parts to the Referendum question:
The first part of the question is about Recognition of the 65,000 years of history and the deep connection we have to our individual and collective lands. This is about recognising we have always been here. ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE is more than a land rights slogan, it is the TRUTH in our nation’s story.
The second part – THE VOICE – is the practical element, it’s about having a seat at the table, having a greater say in the laws, and policies that impact us.
This is not political, this is not racist; this is about how the Australian story will continue into the future. For all of us.
As an author, I am in the business of telling stories, stories that come from the land my Ancestors walked, stories from the land I work and live on. Land that First Nations people have been on for millennia without the recognition that the referendum is asking to address.
Even some of my closest friends have been confused about the referendum, and so I will tell you what I tell them: The referendum is about principle – if you support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in principle, if you believe in principle that we deserve recognition, that we deserve a say in the affairs that impact us, then there is your answer.
If you’re interested in know why other Australian authors are supporting the YES campaign, head to Writers for the Voice.
I’ll be voting YES on October 14 because:
– I want to live in a country that recognises First Nations people and tries to reckon with its Blak history
– the Voice will allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a say on the issues and policies that affect us.
– when local FN communities are listened to better policy decisions can be made.
– this is a once in a generation opportunity to come together and take meaningful steps on the path to achieving First Nations justice.
I hope you’ll join me.
For more information and details head to Yes23.
