In the wake of the recent referendum in Australia, where the “voice” of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was rejected, it is crucial that we do not remain silent.
The reality is, change has only ever come from fighting for change. No doubt rest is crucial, but to publicly announce silence is not appropriate, especially as we live with grief daily in our communities.
I sit here in the United States, where I am working on Indigenous sovereign rights of children and young people and addressing the implications of child removal and harm. I woke up, looked at my daughter and thought, “our home land does not accept your future”. But I realise our acceptance has not been in the hands of a constitution but the love of a community.
It is in looking into my daughter’s eyes that the recent announcement to be silent is one I cannot endorse.
Our identity as First Nations people is deeply rooted in our connection to the land, our culture and our communities. With all due respect, it is not the constitution where we find place and connection, it never has been. It is this strength that empowers us to stand tall and advocate for the rights and sovereignty of our children and young people. Our children are not only the future but also the carriers of our heritage, our traditions and our stories. Our babies must always have a place where they can grow, thrive and express their true selves without fear or prejudice. Therefore, being silent is not a choice for me.
There must be action, and there must be change. It doesn’t stop with a no vote from the Australian people. In fact, this is where the fire is burning for many of our communities. We rise. The no result wasn’t due to a progressive no. It was due to a nation not prepared to face the truth.
Our children bear the brunt of this. They must go to school where they face the racism, the conversations and the pain. Our people return to work and face the same struggle. How do I look at my children and, when faced with vile racism, say: “Bub, just be silent”?
As a survivor of child removal in Australia, and a survivor of the longest living and still existing culture in the world, there will never be a day my advice to anyone would be “let’s be silent”.
There must be safety mechanisms put in place post-referendum, and the onus of this lays on the people in charge of the millions in funding put into the yes23 campaign and the working referendum group, where funds must be outsourced to direct community initiatives to protect our communities. All of the possible outcomes should have been planned for when it came to the referendum, yes or no. Safety first. Not silence.
When our children are subject to disproportionate rates of child removal, we can’t be silent.
When our children and young are subject to incarceration, we can’t be silent.
When our children and young have the police called to their local schools, instead of appropriate responses, we cannot be silent.
When our future is our children and young, we cannot be silent.
In a world plagued by systemic racism and oppression, it is our duty to rise above the silence and confront the truth head-on; always remembering we have community, a place and each other.
I know of one 12-year-old First Nations boy who said to his mum: “Mum, you know some kids commit suicide because of this stuff … not me, cause I’ve got people to talk to, but some kids don’t.”
The first step towards dismantling oppression is to acknowledge and confront the truth. By recognising the historical injustices, colonisation and ongoing systemic racism, we can begin to address the root causes of oppression and work towards healing and real reconciliation.
We must find the courage to speak up against racism and oppression, even when it is uncomfortable. Our voices have the power to challenge the status quo, hold institutions accountable and create meaningful change. Let us not be silenced by fear but emboldened by the truth we carry within.
It is crucial to empower and support Indigenous-led initiatives that address the specific needs and aspirations of First Nations children. By centring their voices and agency, we can create a future where they are valued, respected and protected.
We must embrace the truth and challenge oppressive forces with unwavering determination. By amplifying our voices, advocating for justice, we can create a society that values the rights, wellbeing and sovereignty of First Nations children.
The referendum was a painful experience for our communities, exposing us to feelings of rejection and leaving us feeling even more unsafe. It highlighted the urgent need to create a safe space for our voices to be heard and our concerns to be addressed. We cannot allow this setback to dampen our spirits or discourage us from fighting for justice and equity.
It is essential for non-Indigenous organisations – who fundamentally believe in the power of voice – to stand in solidarity with us. We call upon them to recognise the importance of amplifying our voices and supporting our initiatives. We must work together, hand in hand, to build a society that truly values and respects the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. We must draw upon the wisdom of our ancestors, their knowledge and their resilience. By learning from the old, we can forge a path towards a brighter future for all.
Let us come together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to build a society that reflects the principles of justice, equity and respect.
Let us create spaces where the voices of First Nations children and young people are not only heard but liberated.
Together, we can rewrite the narrative and ensure that no child is left behind. The recent referendum may have brought pain and disappointment, but it has also ignited a fire within us. We must harness this energy to create a safer, more inclusive society for our children and young people.
Let’s continue the work, because we have always said no matter “yes” or “no”, we don’t stop.
In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. International helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman, lawyer and human rights advocate who is passionate about education and protecting the rights and interest of children and young people. She was awarded the Australian Human Rights medal for her work around the adoption laws and forcible removal of children in out-of-home care, and is a Fulbright scholar. Her research is centred around decolonising child protection in the lives of First Nations people and she is currently writing her first book, Long Yarn Short: We Are Still Here
