Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has given the strongest indication yet that a truth and treaty process is underway.
Key Points:
- Linda Burney is in Arnhem Land for the Garma Festival
- The government has announced a question it intends to ask in a referendum to create an indigenous voice in Parliament
- Ms Burney says the government is committed to all three parts of the Uluṟu Declaration from the heart, including a truth and treaty process
Speaking at the Garma Festival in north-east Arnhem Land, Ms Burney said the public should not forget that the Heart of Uluṟu Declaration was not just about a referendum.
“So many parts of this country [are] decide how they will explore the truth,” he said.
“When we think about the effect a national truth-telling process would have on Australia, it’s remarkable.
“One of the things we’re thinking about right now is what form that would take.”
“I see this as, you know, a thousand flowers blooming.
The Uluru Declaration includes a First Nations Voice in the constitution, and Makarrata, referring to the process of conflict resolution, pacification and justice. (Getty Images: Trevor Collins)
“The Uluru statement speaks of three things: it speaks of a voice enshrined in the Constitution, but it also speaks of the establishment of a Makarrata commission that would have two jobs: to make treaties and agreements, and also to tell the truth” , he said. said
Ms Burney said she was “thrilled” with the progress being made with the proposed question announcement and constitutional changes.
“The Prime Minister was very clear that we will accept and implement the Uluru Declaration in its entirety,” he said.
“We’re not going to rush it. We’re going to do it in consultation. We’re going to build consensus and part of that is telling the truth.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Yothu Yindi Foundation President Galarrwuy Yunupingu receive indigenous tokens from indigenous dancers at the Garma Festival. (ABC: Michael Franchi)
Individual truth-telling processes are underway in several states and communities.
Ms Burney said there were excellent examples and frameworks already evident on which a Makarrata could be modeled.
“The best example I can think of is what has happened at Myall Creek in north-west New South Wales,” Ms Burney said.
Anthony Albanese is the first Prime Minister since Malcolm Turnbull to visit Garma, which is held on Yolngu lands, where people are connected through ancestry, history and ritual. (ABC: Michael Franchi)
“Descendants of those [who] they carried out the massacre, and the descendants of those who were massacred have joined together to create a memorial.
“This has meant, for the Shire of Gwydir, [it] he has been healing and accepting a terrible event from the past.
“It’s not about apportioning blame. It’s not about assigning blame. It’s about us all being able to share the whole story of this country.”