12 months have passed since the Voice to Parliament Referendum, and for many First Nations people, the result of Oct 14, 2023 brought deep pain and disappointment. The hurt still felt from the result serves as a reminder of the long road ahead for justice and equality in this country. But despite the outcome and in this moment of collective grief, the commitment to push forward remains.
The voices calling for treaty, truth-telling, and justice are stronger than ever, and we must continue to listen, learn, and act.
The referendum was not the end—it was a step in a much longer journey. Now, 12 months on, we believe it is 'still Yes'— yes to listening to First Nations voices, yes to honouring First Nations sovereignty, yes to confronting
uncomfortable truths, and yes to demanding meaningful change.
In this blog, we’ll explore five key areas where we believe people need to keep showing up for First Nations communities, amplifying Blak voices, and continuing doing the work towards a just future for all.
1. Treaty Making
When the government committed to the Uluru Statement and Voice, Treaty, and Truth, they made a promise—a promise that speaks to the formal recognition of First Nations sovereignty and the inherent rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
But now, we need to hold the government accountable for this promise. We can't afford to let this commitment slip through the cracks. We must stand beside those advocating for treaties, support local efforts, and educate ourselves about the power of treaties to create real change for First Nations people.
Across states and territories, there are various stages of progress toward Treaty. Some states, particularly Victoria, have taken significant steps forward in this space, working closely with First Nations communities through initiatives like the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.
Read the article ‘Treaty now or never? Concerns treaties will become 'political football' as Aboriginal advocates across the country call for action’(Bolte, 10 Feb, 2024, ABC) to see where the calls for Treaty have landed post-referendum.
See the resources section below for a link to all the statewide Treaty-making bodies.
2. Truth-Telling
Truth-telling means confronting so called “Australia’s” painful colonial past—it’s about acknowledging the violence, displacement, invasion and systemic oppression First Nations peoples have endured, often hidden from the stories and the settler narrative we were told growing up and the history books.
For many of us, this truth may be something we’re still learning and it’s up to each of us to actively seek out the real stories—stories of resistance, survival, and injustice.
Some sites to start your search with:
In Victoria, the Yoorrook Justice Commission is investigating injustice against First Peoples in Victoria since colonisation and the Yoorrook website has an archive of the submissions of the truth-telling and evidence they have heard.
Uncle Robbie Thorpe (Djuran Bunjileenee) of the Krautungalung people of the Gunnai Nation has been at the forefront of prosecuting the Australian government for acts of genocide against Indigenous communities. He has brought attention to the systemic and deliberate actions that have sought to destroy First Nations people and culture, using International Customary Law to frame Australia as a crime scene. For a list of upcoming legal cases and court documentation visit Crime Scene Australia, click here.
Uncle Robbie emphasises that through truth-telling and confronting these historical and ongoing realities it is essential for any genuine reconciliation and healing to take place.
The ‘Frontier War Stories’ podcast is a powerful platform dedicated to exploring and bringing to light the often-overlooked history of the Frontier Wars in Australia. Hosted by Boe Spearim, a proud Gamilaraay and Kooma man, the podcast delves into the brutal conflicts between Indigenous Australians and European colonisers, examining the lasting impacts of these wars on Aboriginal Communities. Each episode features in-depth discussions, interviews with historians, and personal stories that shed light on the resistance and resilience of First Nations people during these turbulent times. By focusing on these stories, Boe aims to educate and provoke thoughtful reflection on Australia's colonial past and its enduring legacy.
3. First Nations Justice
Justice for First Nations people is about real, tangible changes in our systems that continue to fail First Nations communities and need to be transformed or abolished. Institutional racism, over- incarceration, and deaths in custody are ongoing realities for so many First Nations families.
It takes all of us to make these changes—whether it's advocating for reforms in the criminal justice system, supporting and contributing financially to First Nations-led Community campaigns, calling out racism, or pushing back against
systemic discrimination.
One powerful way to get involved is by supporting the work of Aboriginal Legal Services in every state and territory (see resources list below). These services are on the frontlines, fighting every day for the rights and dignity of First Nations people.
Some campaigns to support:
Comment in section below to add to this list.
4. Pushing for change: Continuing the conversations and calling people in for action.
Dismantling entrenched systems requires time, patience, and unwavering persistence. Engage in meaningful conversations with friends and family, utilise social media to raise awareness, write to your local representatives, sign petitions, and attend rallies. Participating in community forums, panels, and cultural events also helps you stay informed and connected.
These actions, though they may seem small, collectively make a significant impact and helps maintain momentum. Peer-to-peer conversations are particularly powerful; people are more inclined to listen, learn, and grow when the message comes from someone they trust. This responsibility shouldn’t rest solely on First Nations people; everyone has a role to play. Often, the most effective way to create change is by influencing those within our own circles.
If you need some assistance in having theses yarns and are not sure what words to use or how best to approach it, we recommend checking out the ‘Pass the Message Stick’ resources which focus on persuasive messaging to build widespread support for transformative change, like treaties, truth-telling and representation.
Petitions
Feel free to comment below to add more petitions to this list!
One campaign we actively support is the Our Island Our Home initiative, led by the Torres Strait 8, who are advocating for Australian Government funding to build crucial seawalls protecting their islands from rising sea levels.
Clothing The Gaps has also started a petition ‘Australia Day - Not a date to celebrate!’ petition calling for leadership from Prime Minister Albanese to acknowledge the harm that January 26 represents and to commit to a thoughtful and inclusive process to reconsider its place as a national holiday.
5. Meaningful Actions of Allyship
Meaningful allyship means taking risks, using your privilege to uplift First Nations voices, and committing to long-term support. Real allyship requires action: contributing your time, skills, and resources to First Nations causes. Whether that’s volunteering, donating, or showing up for rallies and protests, it’s about being present in the fight for justice.
It’s about saying yes to getting up, yes to showing up, and yes to standing up every single day.
The most important thing is to ground your allyship in listening, learning, and taking direction from First Nations communities letting them lead the way, then we can ensure our allyship is not just performative, but genuinely impactful.
Have a read of our ‘Allyship beyond the trend’ blog we wrote back in 2020.
Wearing your Tee everyday - Allyship beyond the trend
Read Blog'65,000 Years Strong' Post Referendum Campaign
Your yes Tee and beyond
Wearing your values
In a time when the majority of Australians voted "No," what we choose to wear became a powerful way to identify allies, create connections, and foster a sense of community—most importantly, it sparks conversations that support First Nations peoples. We’ve curated some items we believe are perfect for this moment—because what you wear can spark change.
CAMPAIGN
Referendum: For a First Nations Voice to Parliament
We are deeply committed to driving conversations and actions for social change. In the lead-up to the October 14, 2023, referendum we created and shared a range of resources, including insightful podcasts, compelling videos, and informative articles.
Although the referendum didn't pass, we hope people continue to learn and educate themselves with these resources, keeping the conversation and momentum alive.
Resources
We’ve listed state by state the bodies leading Treaty-making below:
Victoria:
First Peoples Assembly of Victoria
Northern Territory: Northern Territory Treaty Commission
South Australia: In 2018, Treaty negotiations ceased in South Australia without a final resolution. At present, a South Australian Voice to Parliament is being
developed.
List of Aboriginal Legal Services to support:
New South Wales / ACT - Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Website: https://www.alsnswact.org.au
Victoria - Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Website: https://www.vals.org.au
Queensland - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) Queensland. Website: https://www.atsils.org.au
South Australia - Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM). Website: https://www.alrm.org.au
Western Australia - Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (ALSWA). Website: https://www.als.org.au
Northern Territory - North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA). Website: https://www.naaja.org.au
Tasmania - Tasmanian Aboriginal Community Legal Service (TACLS). Website: https://tacls.org.au
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