The Uluru Statement from the Heart: Indigenous rights or insignificant rights?
By Sareen Singh
In a world full of issues, indigenous rights are not considered a priority. Settler states have crafted false and damaging negative stereotypes that work in their favour and work to marginalise indigenous peoples. This idea has been ingrained in society since colonisation, which has stripped indigenous peoples of their cultural integrity, distinctive languages, and traditions. Indigenous communities in fact have unique values, virtues and practices, yet these very things are considered their shortcomings by Western society’s standards.
In New Zealand and Australia today, colonialism continues to infiltrate into our societies. Promises of peace and cooperation that were made between early settlers and indigenous peoples have been kept only symbolically by settler society. Both the New Zealand and Australian governments have failed to meaningfully acknowledge that sovereignty over the land was never ceded, and that the rights of indigenous peoples were never surrendered.
Efforts for change: The Uluru Statement
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a document proposed in 2017 by the Indigenous peoples of Australia to work collaboratively together as a united front. In 1788, Britain colonised Australia, taking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land on the plainly incorrect basis that the land was ‘terra nullius’ (belonging to no one). The Statement calls for the Australian parliament to establish a First Nations Voice that allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have their voices heard and responded to at a constitutional level. It encourages indigenous efforts towards decolonisation. The Statement compiles the ideas and proposals of Indigenous peoples, as well as political leaders to formulate ways in which social difficulties and structural impediments can be overcome.
The Statement also seeks to create a ‘Makarrata Commission’ to liaise, support, supervise and contribute to constitutional discussions and decisions. An entrenched constitutional voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples carves out a path for change in corridors of power and allows for a “national truth-telling process.” At this point in time, efforts, discussions, meetings, campaigns, and debates have occurred but nothing has ever been cemented. The resounding cries of indigenous suppression is a universal echo that continues to be blissfully ignored.
Newly elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a promise in his victory speech to commit “in full” to the Uluru Statement. This declaration was met with loud cheers of joy. For some, Albanese’s declaration to usher the people of Australia to a new chapter for Indigenous recognition may be seen as a gimmick for publicity. For others, this new government has ignited a new hope. Recognising the Uluru Statement is something the former Morrison and Turnbull governments rejected and refused to do. Morrison was adamant that the Uluru Statement was not a part of his government’s policy. Turnbull rejected the Statement, stating it was ‘not desirable or capable of winning acceptance at referendum.’ However, 55% of Australians surveyed in 2017 supported the recommendations of the Uluru Statement.
According to Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney, the Uluru Statement is a “high priority” for the new Labor government. With Burney being the first Aboriginal woman in federal cabinet, she has promised Indigenous communities the same opportunities as others. Burney, who states that she refuses to be a chess piece of parliament interested only in symbolism, is hope that the Uluru Statement from the Heart can finally be enacted.
So what would change in Australia if the Uluru Statement were to be enacted? Firstly, ratifying the Statement would create a new governmental body called the First Nations Voice, which would be heard by the Australian parliament. The parliament would then have the power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the First Nations Voice – effectively, making laws the way Indigenous people want them to be made. Secondly, racial discrimination would be prohibited in the Australian constitution. The Uluru Statement is more than a “voice” and “being heard.” It is a well-developed and sophisticated call for structural reform.
In Aotearoa New Zealand: The He Puapua Report
The He Puapua Report of 2019 discusses the importance of Te Ao Māori and how to encourage indigenous engagement in government. It is an effort to realise the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa. It purports to be “a roadmap to achieving Vision 2040,” the year by which the objectives of the report are set to be achieved. Much controversy has speculated regarding this report, with some claiming it is a “document going towards a future of an increasingly divided New Zealand.” However, He Puapua is not a government policy, nor is it a plan - it is a collation of ideas by people who do not have governmental positions but are simply concerned about indigenous rights.
He Puapua and the Uluru Statement are similar in the objectives both aim to achieve. Both documents have been perceived as radical, unnecessary and a ‘separatist plan’ with ulterior implementations. Some may feel this way towards indigenous-focused proposals simply because they are comfortable with their societal and political position. The system works to benefit such people and, when such issues arise, it is considered a disruption to them because they are not among those negatively affected by the system. Pākehā are amongst this group of people, because whiteness is historically connected to power and class.
When and how will the injustices against indigenous peoples come to an end?
The indigenous peoples of New Zealand and Australia have both been promised change, self-determination, dignity and respect. Yet, we are still to see so much as decent indigenous representation in these governments. The hollowness of empty promises has become much too familiar to Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We must bolster a better narrative in society beyond the one that considers indigenous peoples an afterthought. We need to start a conversation that acknowledges indigenous culture as real, living, breathing and relevant, and as providing a guide to life now, just as it did five hundred years ago. Indigenous culture is not dead - it is constantly developing and evolving, which is why awareness, self-reflection, and advocacy is persistently vital.
I would contend that the Australian parliament’s acceptance of the Uluru Statement is not enough. It is vital that we allow indigenous voices to take the stage beyond the settler colonial parliament. Ongoing initiatives to support indigenous voices should be implemented. The indigenous way of life should continue to be honoured through supporting storytelling, trauma counselling, and cultural revitalisation.
Firstly, we must acknowledge the deprivation of indigenous voices constitutionally and work to bridge this gap between policy and practice. We can do this through building awareness in communities in the allocation and dedication of government-funded institutions to educate the public about indigenous people. Such institutions would aim towards educating and informing others about indigenous history and its importance in society today.
Learning the Aboriginal language needs to be made a part of the national educational curriculum in Australia. Language is a vital aspect of indigenous culture; therefore, it is important that we keep the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture alive in this manner. The same could also be said for Te Reo Māori being a part of the New Zealand school curriculum. Normalising the Aboriginal and Māori languages would help address the destructive effects of structural racism through developing empathy and understanding.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must also be ensured protection over their land rights. Indigenous peoples are stewards of the land because of their deeply rooted spiritual and cultural connection with the earth. To prevent history repeating, indigenous peoples must have a guarantee from their respective parliaments that their customary rights are protected and ratified by law.
Working towards building a socially cohesive country is difficult - but not impossible. We develop the sensitivity to focus not only what is being said but what was left unsaid. We must advance in rectifying these injustices and we must attain more than wavering decisions, nodding heads, and false assurances.
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