Lisa Siganto

When I saw rock paintings of hands in touching distance in Arnhem Land on a hike only recently, it did my head in. More than 20,000 years ago somebody painted that handprint around their own hand with specially made ochre on a cave wall. This person spoke to me and somehow looked directly into my being. They left a message from the past for the future. 

Local people lived well there for more than 100 generations. They had fresh water and plenty of food. Rock art was a communication and diary tool when there was no written language. They were there long before the Pyramids. Long long before Jesus or the Venetians. Long before Cook landed in 1770.

I feel so lucky to be Australian and to live alongside the oldest living culture in the world. The opportunity exists for us to embrace it with all our hearts and minds so that our Australian culture is at one with our First Nations history. I don’t think we will be able to move forward together until we do this. 

And who should we ask how to lead us on this? Over 250 First Nations people signed the Uluru Statement from the Heart after consultations with many communities and told us what they wanted. The first step is the Voice to Parliament. To advise not govern. 

I want my grandchildren to have the opportunity to learn and understand First Nations history and culture, to see rock paintings, to dance the bungul, to feel the connection to land, to work with women’s circles. 

I want all First Nations children to have the same life opportunities as my grandchildren will. 

We know the past systems don’t work. I have spent time as a white, middle aged, privileged and over-qualified woman working to close the gap and much of my work has been in vain. 

First Nations people don’t want handouts and rescue. They speak of empowerment, pathways, health, community leadership, health, strong families, education and employment. 

But first off, all that they want is our trust and they want to be heard in our Government through The Voice.

What is so difficult in that?  

Lisa Siganto
Company Director and Executive Chair ImpaQt Qld Ltd