Six years ago, under the shadow of Uluru in Mutitjulu, 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegates signed a historic statement.

The statement comprised two core values, Voice and Makarrata, which aimed to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution and catalyse a truthful mediation between governments and First Nations, respectively.

On May 24 at the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip a distinguished panel of guest speakers returned to those core values in the lead up to The Voice to Parliament referendum.

The referendum proposes the implementation of an Indigenous advisory body that would advocate for First Nations people in Australia's political decision-making process.

With mixed discourse causing both contention and confusion around The Voice to Parliament, In Conversation MC Glen Kelly OAM opened by reading the proposal as it would be presented on referendum day.

“Voters will be asked to answer yes or no on a single question, subject to the parliament’s approval; the question on the ballot paper will be a proposed law to alter the constitution and to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice,” Mr Kelly read.

“Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

The reading was followed by a palpable intrigue as the audience hushed, and were introduced to panellists Kyra Galante – WA Ambassador for the Yes Campaign — Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest and Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM.

Ideas were shared, perspectives were offered, and information was given by each speaker, and the door to an impassioned conversation was opened, revealing the weight of the signatures pressed onto the Uluru Statement six years ago.

After recounting her time at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM said there is a vacuum of knowledge around the Uluru Statement’s origin story, which brings an inability to counter untruths.

“For decades (we’ve seen) requests from various people – native title groups, nations – across this country that were seeking something better from government, that were seeking a voice,” she said.

“To me, if we strip it all back, away from the complexity, if something is going to impact on us, do we want to be consulted? Do we want our views known before the decision is made?”

“We do. That’s kind of what we all want. That’s what this decision is about.”

Reaching under his chair to reveal his own copy of the 30-page Australian Constitution, Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest stressed the referendum’s significance and the hypocritical nature of the vote itself.

“I believe the referendum is at a most important point in our nation’s history, a really important and significant time,” he said. 

“However, Aboriginal people vote ... 300, 400 thousand people … if we all voted yes, that would make no difference to the outcome of the referendum.”

“It’s entirely up to the non-Aboriginal population to decide our fate, once again, and hopefully for the last time.”

The Australian Constitution still sitting in his lap, Professor Forrest withdrew another document from under his chair, one that outlined the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

“Australia was the last country to sign and endorse (this declaration),” he said.

“The Voice is about voting on a principal, yes or no … the only way to get The Voice (into government) on a permanent basis is through the constitution, and that’s the risk we have to take.”

As audience and panel members alike ruminated, debated and considered their fundamental beliefs toward The Voice, it became apparent that the Uluru Statement and subsequent referendum – yes or no – came from the heart of those who created it.

Kyra Galante provided an additive at the start of the conversation, which offers an emotionally cultural context to the gravity of the Uluru Statement

“The Uluru Statement from the Heart that comes from our people nationally, across all parts of Australia and the Torres Strait, is a gift to all of you,” she said.

“It’s a gift and we’re extending the invitation to all of you, to understand who we are, our ancestors, our connections, our ties to this land, that all of you are now tied to.”

“This is your country, we are all part of you, you are all part of us … and now we need your voice.”

As the conversation ended six people were asked to raise their hand, once picked they stood in a line and read aloud the Uluru Statement from the Heart, leaving the room laden with a contemplative silence. 

WA Museum Boola Bardip hosts a diverse and captivating program of talks all year. Designed for those who want to learn more about the inner workings of science, culture, and creativity, hear captivating stories and learn what goes on behind the scenes.

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To watch the full live stream, click here.

To read the Uluru Statement from the Heart, click here.