On 26 May 2022, we commemorate five years since the release of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and National Sorry Day. Additionally, from 27 May until 3 June, we commemorate National Reconciliation Week.

Josephine Gabrynowicz, a member of and on behalf of the Josephite SA (South Australian) Reconciliation Circle, has provided a response to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Response from the Josephite SA Reconciliation Circle to the Uluru Statement from the Heart by Josephine Gabrynowicz

The following extracts are from the Uluru Statement from the Heart:

• Voice: Establishing a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.
• Makarrata: The coming together after a struggle to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth telling about our history.

On the reading and consideration of the full Statement content, I found it to be a concise, clear and rational one.

Since its launch in 2017, the opportunity has been provided for deep reflection, understanding and response.

As a fourth generation Australian from some of the first Irish settlers to its shores and those forbearers who benefitted so much from living in this great land, I believe that the Uluru Statement from the Heart should be enshrined in our Constitution.

I have reached this conclusion after researching and broad community discussion, regardless of the complexity of the many different views involved.

These include the long-established practices and laws of the Aboriginal Peoples which ‘according to science’ show that that they had rightful possession to these lands through more than 60,000 years occupation, compared to the vastly different practices and laws of the invaders; this included taking illegal possession of the land by force. Government representatives then claimed ownership on arrival in 1788.

I believe deeply then that the only fair and reasonable outcome is to have the Uluru Statement from the Heart enshrined in the Constitution.

IT IS TIME WE WALKED TOGETHER.

It appears to be time ‘TO MAKE A CHOICE’.

What does the failure to proceed by the various Australian Governments to accept the Statement mean?

Response to Australian Labor Party (ALP) Commitment to FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES

Fulfilling the promise of Uluru
To implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full,
Voice, Treaty and Truth.
To closing the Gap
Justice for First Nations people
Rights and Safety for First Nations women
Strengthening First Nations jobs and economic opportunities
International engagement
Protecting land and heritage

The ALP has pledged to “progress a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution as a matter of priority”.

I offer my congratulations to the ALP on their success at winning the 2022 Federal Election. It provides hope and encouragement to the many who voted for this outcome; people from many different walks of life whom have worked tirelessly for many, many years to bring about this opportunity. I applaud and thank them all for their heartfelt, authentic and tireless efforts, with the deep hope that they will not be disappointed.