A Response from the Heart to the Statement from the Heart
Of One Mind, the company that brought WOW (Women of the World) to Australia has read the published statements, listened to Elders, considered all the arguments, and has unanimously agreed to support the current proposal for constitutional recognition for Australia’s First Nations people and a Voice to Parliament.
In the words of author and academic Professor Julianne Schultz AM - constitutional renewal defines many of the most successful nations which have jettisoned foundational flaws. Founding 'Fathers' foresaw the inevitability of change, which is why they built in a referendum process. Leading legal representatives in Australia today support the change as proposed in this referendum.
Our professional and personal experiences of having the privilege of working in and with First Nations communities, organisations and individuals especially across regional and rural Queensland and the Northern Territory has left us with no doubt. We have seen that when decisions about issues that impact on First Nation’s people are designed with and implemented by First Nation’s people themselves, they are more likely to succeed in the move to ‘close the gap’. This is well documented through research from Indigenous and non-Indigenous academics and experts across all sectors and throughout the world. We are especially convinced that this will be true for First Nation’s women, as demonstrated by the research, consultation and evidence provided through Commissioner June Oscar’s ground breaking work Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices).
This is a moment in history, one we will not see again and should be a moment of national celebration. We believe in the power of storytelling and asked twenty leading Queensland women to contribute their personal stories to our website in support of First Nations women to launch our #qldwomenforYES campaign. This is introduced by one of Australia’s and Queensland’s leading First Nation Elders Dr Jackie Huggins.
We are asking you…
Craft a personal statement - your story - in words, music or poetry as to why you will be voting YES - your ‘response from the heart’ to the generous invitation offered in the Uluru Statement from the Heart
Take a photo which represents this statement - perhaps with your YES teeshirt or poster using #qldwomenforYES
Post these on social media #qldwomenforyes and/or upload here to be added to our gallery
Follow the national #womenforYES campaign and sign the letter of support here
We recognise that there will be some women who have decided to vote NO already, many who have not made up their minds, or don’t wish to make their views public in this way. All we say is take a moment to read the personal stories here on our website, to be inspired by what you read or hear. But most of all inform yourself before the Referendum with the facts for which we include some links to resources.
Cathy Hunt AM
Executive Director Of One Mind
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO at WOW Cairns 2022 with fellow panellists Christine Castley, Cynthia Lui MP, Henrietta Marrie AM, Mica Martin and Joanne Freeman.
Cathy Hunt and Regina Turner accept a Highly Recommended award for the work of Of One Mind and WOW Australia at the 2021 Reconciliation awards.
Marliya from Gondwana Choirs perform Spinifex Gum at WOW Cairns 2021.
Jackie Huggins: “Why I am Voting YES.”
We all want a future that is peaceful and prosperous. Our lives are intertwined with often complex issues which confront us.
But this is a simple question with a number of answers. Personally I want change after working for decades in Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation. I have seen governments, politicians and bureaucrats come and go. But we are still here.
Policies, programs, legislation attempting to shift the dial to overcome drastic statistics such as incarceration, child removal, Close The Gap, to name a few have failed. The system is broken and we all need to fix it.
I want the next generation of leaders to have a smoother ride than their previous leaders have had. And what a promising generation we have coming up. Young people who are culturally and morally sound. They have been grounded in their own cultures, their life experiences and the teachings of senior people and Elders. They also have been educated in the western sense, having degrees and other qualifications to navigate their worlds.
I am voting YES because I want to see a bigger future past the Referendum. This will be for all of us – not just Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It will be about unity and not division, mark my words. Writing YES will open the doors and opportunities. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity whereby everyone can determine and have a say in the nation building of our country.
Ignore the fear mongering and racist propositions that are being put forward in the current debate. The sky didn’t fall in when Native Title, Mabo and the Apology arrived and this is no different. It is an act to correct the wrongs of the past, the dismal failure of governments to hear, listen, act and implement the wishes of Indigenous peoples which may have changed the life circumstances of our people. That’s why I am voting YES.
In voting YES we vote for treaties, self determination, reconciliation, unity and so much more. The work will go on for generations after us. And remember for all of us History is indeed Calling.