First nations’ fight has lasted decades and “we’re still not being heard”
Gomeroi woman Natalie attended the Dubbo regional information session earlier this year. (Image credit: Ben Fry / The Uluru Dialogue)
When The Uluru Dialogue team visited Dubbo on Wiradjuri country to discuss the upcoming constitutional referendum on the Voice to parliament with the local First Nations community, the need for factual information was clear.
“We had a bit of a yarn today about what the Voice is all about - it's about acknowledgment of us – as individuals and as a mob, who were the first peoples of this country,” said Gomeroi man Clifford following the Dubbo regional session.
Gomeroi man Malcolm appreciated the information being delivered first-hand by representatives from the body behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart, The Uluru Dialogue.
“Today was the first time I'd heard about anything like this,” he said.
“It was good that we were given an understanding of what the Voice means. Living in small communities, information doesn’t always make it out to us. I think you need to share that information, like your team did today, out in all small communities.”
Riverbank from Wiradjuri Country said the information session was highly informative and appreciated the facts being presented to local mob directly.
“I didn’t know anything about the Voice at all, except that this session was going to happen,” he said.
“So for this forum to have happened today, I found it to be highly informative. It was delivered in a way I could understand it. It has honestly made me rethink the whole issue.
“I had thought I had a position on it based on what I knew, but today’s session makes me realise that there's a lot that I didn’t know - and I’m open to that.”
