A Yarn From The Heart
Learn about the upcoming First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum
An evening of critical education and conversation.
There’s a profoundly important referendum happening this year. About enshrining a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
It’s the first reform listed in the Uluru Statement From The Heart.
An historic invitation to all Australians to help carve a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
“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.” – The Uluru Statement.
Join us for an evening of crucial learning and conversation with Kenny Bedford, Traditional Owner from the Meuram Clan of Erub in the Torres Strait Islands, signatory to the Uluru Statement and Reconciliation Australia Director. We will also hear from Kaurna woman, professional dancer and First Nations rights advocate Jakirah Telfer.
Sit and listen. Learn about the background of the historic Statement. The generations of community perseverance.
Discover how you can support the cause so that Indigenous people can take their rightful place in their own country.
Engage in dialogue to meaningfully walk with First Nations people.
History is calling.
Date & Time
Fri 9 June
6 – 7pm
Location
City Studio | Kaurna Land
Level 1, 60 Halifax Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Cost
FREE. All welcome.
Start here
The First Nations Voice is the first proposal contained within the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It is a constitutionally protected body of First Nations people which will advise the Federal Parliament and the executive government, able to influence laws and policies at the point they originate.
In May 2017, over 250 Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander Delegates from all points of the Southern Sky gathered in Mutitjulu in the shadow of Uluru and put their signatures on a historic statement. The Uluru Statement From The Heart, addressed to the Australian people, invited the nation to create a better future via the proposal of key reforms. The first is a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. The upcoming referendum responds to this call.
A Voice will mean the Government will have better quality information about First Nations communities and issues, delivered directly from communities themselves. Information from communities will result in better quality laws and policies, better targeted investment and ultimately better outcomes for First Nations people across many sectors.
Since 1967 federal governments have required a mechanism like a voice to support its work in the Indigenous policy space. The government needs to know who to talk to on issues that affect First Nations people.
Each of the five previous mechanisms which have been set up by parliamentary processes for this purpose have been abolished by successive governments cancelling programs, policies and investment with the stroke of a pen.
This chopping and changing according to election cycles has contributed to the ongoing disadvantage experienced by many First Nations people. If the Voice was enshrined in the Constitution, it could not be abolished without significant public scrutiny, giving the government of the day a strong incentive to work with First Nations people and ensure their advice and input is heard.
The Albanese government has committed to a referendum in the second half of 2023.
Yes. Independent Research undertaken in January 2023 shows 80% of First Nations people support the Voice.
This information comes from the official Uluru Statement website.
About Kenny Bedford
Kenny Bedford is a Traditional Owner from the Meuram Clan of Erub in the Torres Strait Islands. During the past two decades he has played an integral role in developing traditional and commercial fisheries in the Torres Strait and has held many community-based roles.
As well as being a member of the National NAIDOC Committee, Kenny is also a Director at Reconciliation Australia, the Indigenous Engagement Lead for the From the Heart campaign and a Director at My Pathway. Kenny is grateful to have opportunities to represent his people and region and to contribute to the advancement of First Nations peoples.
