Dear Co-Design Body
Submission for Co-design process
I am a woman who grew up in a very white world – and as I grew older I came to realise that this was not reality. The reality is that we stole the land we live on, and have marginalised and hidden the original people of this land for too long. It is time to become true Australians and own up to our horror history and embrace our true and rich indigenous history and Language.
Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is important as the first step to owning up to our colonial history and embracing our true and rich indigenous history and Language.
Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
Only indigenous people can speak to their lived experience of being marginalise by our systemic racism. Only they can know what is best for them, their families and their culture. They have a cultural connection to the land that we as invaders can only begin to understand - and we need their voice to help us to embrace this connection and become part of THEIR culture - they were here first.
How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
A voice is needed to speak for those who currently do not have one. I only hope for an equal future where all our unique and richly cultured voices join together in a true song of our land.
Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
We cannot trust politicians who have racist or colonial agendas (eg mining rights, continued cuts to services etc) - we cannot trust them to accept dissenting voices (and not lock them out) so it needs to be enshrined in the Constitution
Thank you
