Roy Ah-See: Saturday is just a normal day for most Aussies, but for First Nations people it’s critical
Voice campaigner and Indigenous land rights activist Roy Ah-See. (Image credit: Ben Fry / The Uluru Dialogue)
PROMINENT YES CAMPAIGNER and respected and passionate Indigenous land rights advocate Roy Ah-See has posted a stirring video on TikTok outlining why Referendum day is so important to First Nations people.
Mr Ah-See, a proud Wiradjuri man and TikTok poster with a regular following, opened up on the social media platform about the freedoms the greater public take for granted, but which First Nations people are still fighting for in their own country.
“If nothing changes, nothing changes; this Saturday is an important day for our people,” he said in his latest video.
“But more importantly, it's an important day for our old people - our old people who are no longer here, who left a legacy, who have fought for our future generations, who have fought for me, so I can have a good life, the life I enjoy today.
“It’s only fitting that I post this video out of respect for our old people who won’t get to witness Saturday, October 14.
“To everyday Australians, it will just be a normal day. You’ll go and play golf, you’ll take the kids to the pool, to the beach, you’ll go and have a picnic. You’ll enjoy this country and the freedom of this country.
“But for us and our people, it's a different day.
“Our kids are faced with the fact they’ll die many years’ younger than the friends they go to school with.
“Over-representation in the criminal justice system - that's a reality for us.
“Our people have asked for this Voice. They've asked for Constitutional Recognition. They've asked to be heard; to have a seat at the table.
“Let's make no bones about it - if you're not at the table, you’re on the menu.
“It really annoys me that our old people in this whole debate have been disrespected. They've been trodden on, they've been walked on. Their legacy has been just thrown away like a piece of paper.
“This Constitution that people are talking about - which people don't know about – they’re saying it's not about race. It IS about race.
“Our Constitution was written a very long time ago and some people still think it's fit for purpose today.
“I'm really annoyed that the legacy of our old people is caught up in this debate – it’s not even a debate, it’s a referendum. The NO people are saying they speak for our people in our communities. Well, they don't.
“Let's just hope we get a positive result on Saturday, October 14.
“It's really up to you. It's up to Australians.
“You can say NO and go and play your golf and take your kids shopping, or you can say YES and let our kids enjoy the fruits of our old peoples’ labor - whether it's shopping, whether it's beaches, whether it's a picnic - and feel included in their own country.
“I'm fearful we will wake up on Sunday morning and it will be just the status quo."
