Moving Beyond the 2023 Referendum
The 2023 Voice Referendum held this past weekend saw a very strong message from the broader Australian public that First Nations voice is not valued as it should be. The resounding NO to establishing a permanent voice within the constitution for First Nations communities to have a say in matters impacting our lives is crushing and highlights the work we as a nation are yet to do.
There has been, and will continue to be, lots of conversations about what went wrong and what could have been done differently but I strongly believe the focus now needs to be on how we move forward. How we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to continue the work they do; to support our kids to have strong connections to culture and be confident in their identity - to be proud of being part of the world’s oldest continuing culture; and how we continue the quest for closing the gap in outcomes for First Nations people.
I have had many messages from teachers on how they can discuss the results in the classroom and the impact this has on how First Nations perspectives are included in lessons. Children I have spoken to are confused – so overwhelming is their support for YES that they cannot fathom what a no means to their lives.
The reality is nothing changes.
While very much a step backwards for reconciliation, the everyday lives and the fight our communities have been fighting since invasion some 230 years ago continues for First Nation people. We have cared for this country for over 65,000 years and that doesn’t change because of this referendum.
We need our allies to continue that work with us. Teachers need to continue teaching truth so that the next generation are armed with the correct information when the opportunity to finally acknowledge the First Nations people of this country arises again. I very strongly believe that the next generation will do better than the current generation of voters. The foundations we are building now through education will mean that when children today are old enough to vote, the outcomes will be different. We will finally be heard and I am choosing to focus on that rather than the crushing racism-fuelled refusal to acknowledge my people, the adversities we face and the right we should have to be heard on matters that impact us.
The way forward is education. Keep including First Nations perspectives regularly so all Australian children have the opportunity to learn about, understand and appreciate First Nations cultures and keep creating safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in schools.
Five ways to recognise, celebrate and contribute to the resilience of First Nations communities:
1. Highlight the resilience of First Nations people and culture. We are the oldest continuing culture in the world and that needs celebrating. Focus on our achievements as individuals and as a community. Focus on the knowledge we use and share that has cared for Country for over 65,000 years, and recognise the innovation that is integral and woven throughout our culture.
2. Consider the stories of First Nations changemakers – these stories show how change is made and the relentless efforts of our communities to make positive change in even the toughest of environments. The 2023 referendum is just one event in the history of change – let’s remind kids of the many actions of change our mob have led and the impact they have had. We have lots of resources on the Wingaru Kids platform and in the Wingaru store to support you to do this.
3. Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to recognise their own resilience. Reminding mob that they are strong, smart and deadly is an important part of keeping kids strong in their identity and proud of who they are. We teamed up with the amazing allies over at The Grow Journal to create this free worksheet to help.
4. Embrace truth-telling: be committed to seeking and sharing truth about Australia’s history, the systemic disadvantage that impacts on First Nations communities and the efforts to address this. There are so many myths, mistruths and misunderstandings that need correcting and the only way we do this is with truth – the good, the bad and the ugly.
5. Connect, listen and build relationships with First Nations communities. Whether it is your local community or tapping into some of the amazing online communities – social media, public personalities, First Nation enterprises and media – make a commitment to seek out Aboriginal voices so you can make First Nations perspectives a regular part of your life. This will mean you hear firsthand stories of resilience, work being done in our communities everyday and how allies can help us. We are but 3% of the population, so the work our allies are doing alongside us is really important. Getting to know us and connecting with why a voice is so important, is one of the greatest contributions you can make.
We can't change the result of the 2023 Voice referendum, but we can build knowledge and understanding to help support Australia's First People in a future that is respectful, caring and just.
Always was. Always will be.
