In two weeks, Australia will hold a historic referendum where they will vote on whether to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the country’s indigenous people in its constitution. But the issue is dividing the country and its people.
– The election debate has become very politicized and divisive. It leads to disadvantages for the indigenous inhabitants who end up in focus. But this isn’t the first time we’ve had a split like this within our groupings. This is how it is to live in a colonized state, says Jillian Marsh from the Adnyamathanha tribe in this week’s 15 minutes from Sápmi.
There are limitations
The indigenous peoples of Australia have different religions and different traditions where not everyone is heard as much as others. She worries that a yes could lead to those who already have a political platform being heard more. And that those who are not heard today are still made invisible.
She is also skeptical that this could lead to the indigenous peoples getting a body that is only advisory.
– Having only an advisory right does not give us the opportunity to make decisions. If you don’t have people with the ability to make informed decisions, there will be limitations to what this can accomplish. We have had advisory roles before and we will again. And given the history, it doesn’t come easy to much. When advice is given, decisions are not made based on it, she says.
“Need more time”
Marsh says that she herself does not yet know how to vote.
– I have not decided how I will vote. I need more time. I like the idea of changing the constitution, but I don’t know if an advisory body is the right way forward, she says.
And how the vote will actually go, she dare not guess.
– It will be determined by how much information people have and how interested they are in the issue.
Watch 15 minutes from Sápmi on SVT2 on Saturday at 16:05 or on SVT Play.