Statements of the heart
The Uluru Statement of the Heart ends with the words:
‘We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.’
It sounds to us that this invitation was not addressed only to those sitting in Parliament, but to all of us Australians. So, it doesn’t make sense for politicians to have the final word on this does it?
Instead, we think it’s time for Australians, young and old, to respond to the Uluru Statement, with our own statements, from our own hearts.
We invite you to send a message about why it’s important to you that as a nation we take up the invitation from the First Nations peoples of this land that has been generously and profoundly offered.
For all of us this will be personal.
If you want to join us, and make your own statement from the heart about this matter … please contact us or leave a comment below. We will be delighted to hear from you.
Barry Sullivan
December 14, 2021One whitefella’s Reflection:
From early years “How can the First be treated second class?
This is wrong, unjust, unfair”
Helping to read, a small step towards right, justice and repair
Weeping with Archie about children taken, about culture de-valued
Travelling in spirit with Charlie, riding towards freedom
Listening to Vincent and Eddie, trying to understand
‘The Mother, The Spirit, Deep Connection to Land’
Learning to wait, to sit in quiet, Garma, Mawul Rom
Reflecting on white prosperity and privilege
Trying to face the truth of
Colonisation, dispossession, marginilisation
Taking action to move beyond guilt and despair
Time in East Arnhem, feeling the pain, lives ended too soon
Sharing the stories of hope, care and re-connection
Cleansed by smoke, sitting with colleagues
Sharing a laugh ‘Nah, gamin, man’
‘Statement from the Heart’
Will we truly listen?
Here on Larrakia Land ‘Black Lives Matter’
Black and white together, making a stand
michelle bates
December 7, 2021Being born into and coming to relationship with my Anaiwan and Gamileroi and Irish descendancy, while living remotely in this place, I am more informed and far more aware of the cruel and abiding debilitating impacts of histories and continuing perpetuation of displacement, disrespect, lack of acknowledgement and the fight for many to survive the injustices and inequalities of daily life.
Living very remotely with Warumungu, Arrernte and others, has sharpened my focus, bringing an even deeper understanding of the rich cultures, strong people, the complexities, and suffering, frustrations, helplessness, relationships, deep connection to country and failings of systems and services. I also stand as witness to the strengths, commitment, skills and strong values that guide many Aboriginal people in their struggle for small freedoms, ownership, and rightful sense of place in the face of extreme difficulties. Finding ways to strengthen and centre the voices of the people with the most to gain from ‘right relationship’ and support towards re-authoring of their lived experiences from intolerable towards better for their families, children, cultures and communities is the very least we can all do, isn’t it? From my heart to yours, I commit to continuing support to help people wake-up to what can’t wait any longer for su all to attend to in these unceded lands.
Troy Holland
November 9, 2017Dear Dulwich Centre,
May I first pay my respects to and acknowledge the welcoming and wise invitation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders who represent the first sovereign nation of this land, and who are the spiritual and traditional owners of this country. Thanks also to the Dulwich Centre and the folks who have initiated this important project.
I also wish to express my disappointment and disagreement with the decision of Malcolm Turnbull and the group of whitefella politicians to reject a proposal for the establishment of a First Nations voice to be enshrined in the constitution of Australia.
I am a whitefella man who was born and bred on Darumbal land in Central Queensland. My ancestors came from Cornwall, England, Ireland, China and Norway in the 1800s. There are many reasons my heart is called to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The strongest reason in my heart today relates to what I have learned with and from Australia’s First Nations people. I have been very fortunate to spend time with many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folk who have shared with me much knowledge, value and skill about ways of living. In particular these folk have taught me profound understandings of respect, at a level I never could have understood without these interactions. I think most Australians would agree that our parliament could benefit from some of these important lessons in respect, and if parliamentarians acted in more respectful ways to each other, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all people in this country and indeed the world, a lot more could be achieved and many people would be much have much safer and healthier lives.
With respect and hope
troy holland
Timothy Collier
November 4, 2017For 60+ years I have had the benefit of living in this wonderfully diverse country. I am aware that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had to endure dispossession,death and alienation from their countries. And, that their cultures have been appropriated and disrespected. I commit to walking with you and being guided by your wisdom as to the best way forward for us as one nation among many. I thank you for your generosity of spirit in inviting me to walk with you in a movement that will create a better future for all of us.