It’s time for the oldest living culture in the world to be heard
For the past 250 years, government hasn’t listened to the people who have been here for 65,000 years.
It’s time they did.
As the recognised voice for our region, the WKSN board already knows how much good we can do when governments actually listen to Noongar people.
But we also know that it’s not enough to only have a voice to government when it suits them.
The Voice to Parliament will be protected so governments can’t abolish it when we say things they don’t want to hear.
In our many conversations with members over the past year, we’ve heard the same issues raised over and over: housing, health (especially mental health), and care for our Elders and our young people.
As the Uluru Statement says:
Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them.
And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.
The Voice will empower our people to take ownership and responsibility for our futures.
Our koolangkas will flourish and walk in two worlds. Their culture will be a gift for our country.
Remember that this isn’t a proposal from government, it has always been our old people at the forefront fighting for this.
Voting no will bring an end to this once- in-a-generation chance to change how we do things. There’s no plan B.
This was always going to be a fierce contest. There's a lot of noise out there telling us to vote no, but we will win by sharing our stories and encouraging others to walk with us.
Voting YES will mean:
Recognising and respecting 65,000 years of culture for the first time in Australia’s 122-year-old constitution
Listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about policies and challenges that affect us
Protecting the Voice from politics and bureaucrats so it can speak freely and honestly
The Voice won’t solve everything overnight, but it will be one more step forward on the journey Noongar people have been on for 200 years.
A no vote leaves us nowhere. Yes makes a better future possible for all of us, especially our children and grandkids.
Jeanice Krakouer, Oscar Colbung, Mervyn Eades, Malcolm Williams, Megan Anwyl, Tony Noonan
Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar directors
Megan Krakouer
SWALSC CHAIR and wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar representative