An Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

This Saturday, October 14, there’s a referendum on.

We get to decide whether to acknowledge Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples by putting a Voice (group of representatives) in the Constitution (the document that defines who we are as a nation).

The group would advise the government (and opposition) about matters relating to First Nations people. The Voice wouldn’t have to worry about politics - it’ll be there no matter who’s in power. The government would still have the last say… but the Voice would be there to make suggestions, based on their own experience and wisdom, when laws and are first discussed. That’s what the Voice would be for.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples asked for the Voice in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, after many years of talks.

Some arguments have been made saying it’s not a good idea. Some First Nations people say the Voice doesn’t go far enough. (Here’s a short, fun video discussing that idea.)

In the end, it’s up to us.

I’ll be voting Yes. With my heart, and with my head. (And, I’m guessing, one of those little pencils.)

Here are some articles I’ve written after interviewing Indigenous and non-Indigenous health leaders about the Voice.

There’s also an article my friend wrote about other countries’ versions of the Voice, and one I helped the Lowitja Institute do about birthing on Country programs (how women understand having a voice).