STEPS TO
REFERENDUM
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What is Steps
to Referendum?
Initiatives of Change Australia has an important history walking alongside First Nations Peoples since the 1950s. Our decision to stand with First Nations Peoples in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart invitation, set out in 2017, continues our journey as allies.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart, released in 2017, calls for a process of truth-telling, where experiences about the history of First Nations Peoples are heard.
It forms a vital part of the ‘Makarrata’ agenda — Voice, Treaty, Truth — which ‘captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.’
The Uluru statement concludes, ‘In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard… We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.’ IofCA has wholeheartedly accepted this invitation.
Since ‘Our Uluru Response’ committee was formed, Uncle Shane Charles and IofCA generated the First Peoples’ Pathway which launched at Armagh in February 2021.
The relationship with Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man, Thomas Mayo, strengthened as he delivered a talk at an intimate gathering in February 2022 speaking with the group on how to engage their support with the first phase the Uluru Statement from the Heart is calling for, a Voice enshrined in the constitution.
Thomas subsequently visited IofCA both for individual discussions as well as addressing workshop participants at the award-winning Trust-building program Turruk, again sharing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and what it is inviting Australians to accept.
In the near future, the sustainability of Turruk in Community program could be supported by a Turruk for Business partnership model. In March this year, Turruk for Business was piloted with architectural leaders Woods Bagot, after a contingent of executive staff were suitably impressed with the Turruk Program in 2022. Turruk Program co-designer Sarah Naarden and Uncle Shane Charles successfully delivered a 5-week cultural intelligence program tailored to the needs of the business leaders and the aspirations of Reconciliation Action team.
The momentous support from IofCA was harnessed and the idea to bring awareness to the wider community around the Voice to Parliament was birthed. January this year IofCA hosted both Thomas Mayo and Emily Holm for the first “Steps to the Referendum” forum. The in person event drew a crowd of 65 participants from diverse backgrounds including Church and Interfaith groups, Reconciliation groups, Teachers, Journalists, Political representatives and more and kick started the conversation around what actions these groups and their constituents can take to further raise awareness around the Voice to Parliament.
“It’s been an absolutely amazing opportunity being here and to have the privilege of being with so many likeminded people with this whole policy on the voice. To have other people around me to give me a feeling of momentum and templates in reference to be active how to connect more with different groups and it just reinforces my own personal growth.”
With the tremendous support and enthusiasm to share the message of the upcoming Referendum, six IofCA representatives undertook the ‘Walking Together’ training held by Inner West Sydney Council training in NSW. Bringing back the learnings from the training, as well as coupling the key strategic information shared at the in-person forum on 10th January, another ‘Steps to the Referendum’ training was delivered online to 60 participants. Uncle Glenn Loughrey shared the history of how Australia has landed at constitutional recognition up until today, and Uncle Shane Charles addressed the importance of ‘knowing your no’.
IofCA has since hosted two online ‘Steps to the Referendum’ forums with collectively over 70 people attending. A host of different First Nations speakers joined, including Nicole Bloomfield, Uncle Shane Charles and Uncle Glenn Loughrey with 100% of participants in the second session committing to speak with at least 5 individual people about the Voice to Parliament.
Organisations and groups have now been inspired to create their own information sessions based on the ‘Steps to the Referendum’ forums they have attended. In Queensland, Barbara Lawler and her team, hosted their interfaith group in a conversation around the Voice to Parliament. Through this process, Project Coordinator, Kathryn Farrell, supported their framework and made recommendations to include in their address to their group of over 40 people.
‘Steps to the Referendum’ forums will continue in June, July and August and will again have First Nations Speakers sharing personal stories of why this is important, how we came to arrive at the Uluru Statement from the Heart, dispel some of the myths and misinformation and how people can take action to support the Voice to Parliament.
IofCA understands we are in a generational legacy moment, with the opportunity to create powerful change in Australia’s history. Imagine how we will feel as a nation the day after the Yes vote gets in. Let’s walk beside First Peoples in a movement with all Australian people for a better future.
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