Gillian Hunter
Walkerville 5081
To whom it may concern
Co-design process: Submission for Gillian Hunter
I am a mature, educated woman who works part time as a language and settlement teacher to adult migrants in Adelaide. Apart from 9 years in Europe, I have lived here since infancy. I volunteer as an arts journalist on community radio, am an ongoing activist for various human, animal rights and environmental causes, a musician who regularly performs, a land regenerator and lover of healthy living and peace, joy and justice for all.
Why do you think the Uluru Statement from the Heart is important?
Ever since the British (my people) first colonized this continent, the indigenous peoples here have at various stages been exploited, abused, marginalised, alienated, discriminated against, starved, poisoned, shot, separated, stolen, disease infected, divested of lands, etc, etc, all in outrageous efforts, deliberate or carelessly incidental, to destroy their languages, cultures, traditional and ecologically appropriate uses of lands and waterways, their personal and societal spiritual practices and their general self-determination. This is now all well-documented, publicly available knowledge. The only way we the incumbents can meaningfully acknowledge our culpability, demonstrate genuine remorse and attempt to make the bare minimum of amends is to start treating Aborigines as the wise First Australian human beings that they are. Their inherent human rights for dignified self-determination must be realised. They need a say in their own destinies and the course ahead for us all with regard to this now shared land, that we must sensitively care for together. For a more enlightened and just way forward ordinary legislation is not enough. Our First Nations must have a meaningful, Constitution-enshrined voice, ie one with legs. It is the very least we can do and the only realistic way ahead - to concede basic human rights, respect and genuine acceptance of diversity, and to demonstrate real Australian maturity and integrity on the world stage.
How could a Voice to Parliament improve the lives of your community?
Inclusivity is all important for a just society.
Why is it important for Indigenous people to have a say in the matters that affect them?
Self determination and human rights.
Why do you think it's important to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, rather than include it only in legislation?
(Mere) legislation can be changed too easilly.
Justice and reparation are the only way forward.
Yours sincerely,
Gillian Hunter
