Uluru Statement from the Heart facts for kids
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a special message from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. It was released in 2017. This statement asks for changes to Australia's main rulebook, called the Constitution. The goal is to give Indigenous Australians a stronger voice in decisions that affect them.
The statement was shared on May 26, 2017. This happened after a big meeting called the First Nations National Constitutional Convention. This meeting took place near Uluru in Central Australia. Before this, a group called the Referendum Council traveled all over Australia. They talked to over 1,200 people to hear their ideas.
The Uluru Statement asks for two main things:
- A "First Nations Voice" to be added to the Australian Constitution. This would be a way for Indigenous people to advise the Parliament.
- A Makarrata Commission to help make agreements and share the true history between the Australian Government and Indigenous peoples.
The statement also mentions the 1967 referendum. This past vote changed the Constitution to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in population counts. It also gave the government power to make laws for Indigenous Australians.
In 2017, the government at the time, led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, did not support the statement. However, in May 2022, the new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and his Labor government fully supported the Uluru Statement.
Contents
Why the Statement Was Made
In December 2015, a group called the Referendum Council was created. It was set up by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten. This group's job was to figure out how to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.
The Council included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders. They built on earlier work by other groups. One of the co-chairs was Pat Anderson, an important Indigenous leader.
In 2016, the Council released a paper to guide discussions. They wanted to talk about important topics like:
- A statement to acknowledge Indigenous peoples.
- A special power for the federal government to make laws for Indigenous peoples.
- Stopping racial discrimination in the Constitution.
- Creating an Indigenous voice to government.
- Removing an old section (section 25) from the Constitution.
Over six months, the Council visited 12 different places across Australia. They met with more than 1,200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. These meetings helped create the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The First Nations National Constitutional Convention met for four days in May 2017. At the end of this meeting, the Uluru Statement was officially read out. About 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates agreed to the statement.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart
What the Statement Says
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a powerful message. Here are some of the main ideas it shares:
- It starts by saying that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first nations of Australia. They lived on the land under their own laws for over 60,000 years.
- It explains that this connection to the land is very deep and spiritual. It's like a link between people and "mother nature." This connection has never been given up.
- The statement points out that Indigenous people are locked up more than any other group in the world. Their children are also taken from their families at very high rates. It says these problems show a deep unfairness in the system.
- The statement asks for changes to the Constitution to give Indigenous people more power over their own lives. They believe this will help their children succeed and keep their culture strong.
- It calls for a "First Nations Voice" to be added to the Constitution. This voice would allow Indigenous people to speak directly to the Parliament.
- It also asks for a Makarrata Commission. Makarrata is a Yolngu word meaning "coming together after a struggle." This commission would help make agreements between governments and First Nations. It would also help share the true history of Australia.
- The statement ends by saying that in 1967, Indigenous people were counted in the population. In 2017, they want to be heard. They invite all Australians to join them on this journey for a better future.
The Artwork of the Statement
The Uluru Statement is not just words; it's also a beautiful work of art. This is similar to other important Indigenous messages like the Yirrkala bark petitions. The words of the statement are in the middle of the artwork. Around the words are the signatures of over 250 delegates who agreed to the statement. These signatures represent 100 different First Nations.
The artwork also tells stories from the Tjukurpa (creation stories) of the Aṉangu people. These are the traditional owners of Uluru. One story shows a fight between two snakes, Kuniya and Liru, which shaped the Uluru landscape. Another story is about the Mala people and a dispute with men from the west. These men created Kurpany, the devil dingo, shown by dog prints.
Recommendations for Government
The Referendum Council also wrote a "Final Report." This report included two main recommendations:
- A Voice to Parliament: They suggested holding a national vote (a referendum). This vote would ask Australians to add a special body to the Constitution. This body would be a "Voice" for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations to speak to the Australian Parliament.
- A Declaration of Recognition: They also suggested a special statement of recognition. This statement would be passed by all Australian Parliaments. It would be a symbolic way to unite all Australians.
The report also mentioned other important issues for Indigenous peoples. These issues could be handled outside the Constitution. They included: a statement of recognition, setting up a Makarrata Commission, and a process for truth-telling about history.
Sharing the Statement with Leaders
The Referendum Council's "Final Report" was given to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten in June 2017. The Uluru Statement was included at the beginning of this report.
The official painted artwork of the Statement was given to the Prime Minister and opposition leader in August 2017. This happened at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory.
Government Actions After the Statement
Morrison Government Follow-up
In March 2018, a special committee was formed to look into constitutional recognition. This committee made four recommendations:
- Co-design a Voice: They suggested that the Australian Government work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to design the "Voice" to Parliament.
- Consider Options: After designing the Voice, the government should think about how to set it up. This could be through new laws or changes to the Constitution.
- Support Truth-telling: The committee recommended that the government support a process of sharing the true history of Australia.
- National Resting Place: They also suggested creating a special place in Canberra for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remains. This would be a place for healing and remembering.
The first recommendation, about creating an Indigenous voice to government, began with a Senior Advisory Group. This group was set up in October 2019. It includes 20 leaders and experts from around Australia.
Albanese Government Follow-up
In May 2022, after the federal election, the new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, fully supported the Uluru Statement. His government has promised to work towards putting the "First Nations Voice" into the Constitution.
South Australian Voice to Parliament
In May 2021, the state of South Australia announced plans to create its own Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This would be the first of its kind in Australia. After the state election in 2022, the new Premier, Peter Malinauskas, promised to make this state-based Voice happen. He also pledged to restart talks about treaties and invest more in areas important to Aboriginal people in South Australia. In July 2022, Dale Agius was appointed as the state's first Commissioner for First Nations Voice.
See also
