The Voice
AMW
Referendum Day: Vote Yes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Referendum Day. Let’s make history together and give our people a voice.
Bianca Baldwin
I will be voting yes for The Voice in parliament to honour the hard work of my ancestors. Although I recognise this can’t change the trauma of our past, I firmly believe that nothing changes, if nothing changes. This opportunity ensures our voices won’t be silenced, acknowledging our contributions today. It’s time to stand up and be recognised, shaping a future where our legacy is valued and celebrated.
Billy H
Black and White Swans: This painting represents black and white people coming together respecting Aboriginal issues. The pattern line in the middle is a treaty and the footprints represent working towards a treaty.
Sarah Barrow
I’m voting yes for a number of reasons, but the most boring and unremarkable reason is this: recognising a First Nations constitutional voice is nothing radical. Many other countries including New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Canada have done so and I have every faith that Australia’s First Nations representatives will do a great job of working out the details of ours.
Also, a Voice represents the values I find important. I think that people thrive when they have a strong sense of belonging and are listened to respectfully. A Voice for First Nations peoples will not take these rights away from any communities in Australia, it will only amplify and make better what we already have.
Coadz
Yes/No: This painting of Australia is about the Yes/No vote and the referendum, as the outcome will affect all Aboriginal people. I’m still very unsure what it means and imagine I’m not the only one. I wanted this painting to bring awareness to this massive decision we all have to make. I hope we all do some research and are sure what this means for our people, which ever way you go.
Gabrielle Callan
I will be voting yes to the referendum as I want to support First Nations voices being heard 😊
Colin M
Our Voice: This painting to me represents the voice to parliament. All our Elders are having a discussion by the fire and the children are doing a celebration dance by the river. They along with all our Mob are happy at the possibility that finally the oldest race in the world might actually have a little say on what goes on with our Mob.
Flick Chafer-Smith
I will be voting YES, because I think it’s important for our people to be a part of conversations which affect us. I think we haven’t had this position in the past and it’s about time our input is heard.
Dates
The Voice: My artwork tells the story about the voice and that all Australians, have a vote on the voice 2023. The red brown and yellow ochres represent the Country (red desert) and the blue, greens represent the costal communities. The gum leaves are ceremonial and cleansing the body and spirit. The “yes” is families having their votes in the communities all over the Country. The spear is a symbol of the voice going in the right direction.
Matty Chilly
I will be voting ‘YES’ to The Voice, in Oct 14th. Knowing that it is an empowering initiative and invaluable asset that allows Aboriginal, First Nations People to have their voices be heard, respected and amplified. By amplifying their voices, we can honour their knowledge, address historical injustices, promote reconciliation, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Dave M
Meeting to Decide on The Voice: This painting is about everyone looking at the Voice through meeting. I believe we should have a Treaty Truth before a Voice. I also believe Indigenous people should be entitled to equal rights just like every other living being.
Susannah Day
It has been six years since our Elders issued a call to the Australian people to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the constitution. As the First Peoples of this nation who have suffered so greatly from colonisation, now is not the time for mere recognition, but meaningful engagement and hard listening. I will be so bitterly disappointed and ashamed of my country if we wake up on Sunday living in no. As Briggs says, no is now, we are living in no. We need change, we need to be heard. I believe this is our best chance to begin closing the gap. This is a start, it is not a cure, but it is a step in the right direction, towards treaty, towards truth. I will be voting YES on October 14th.
Dice
Our Voice, Our Time, Our Future: …It is also a vote for yes in the referendum, for our Voice to be heard fairly for our people and our future, for our culture to be better understood and our Country looked after better. It’s our Voice, our time, and our future…
Dani Hakim
I support the Yes vote.
As a non-Indigenous person, I believe it’s important for me to listen to First Nations people.
One resource that has helped inform my vote was listening to “The Mission” on Triple R, hosted by Daniel James. As he puts it, a simple way to look at the question being posed in the referendum is Should first peoples be consulted on laws that affect them? My answer is Yes.
Another statement that has resonated with me is the assertion that We are already living in No. This phrase captures the reality that the current system is failing First Nations people. I have hope that by voting Yes, we can create positive change by addressing inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
Dwayne L
Celebration of The Voice: Tribe dancing in celebration of The Voice.
Chris Keeler
The Voice is an advisory body that will recommend or suggest changes on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It can’t make legislation, block legislation or force Parliament to do anything specific. It can’t take people’s land or rights away. The Voice is about giving the first peoples of this country a say in national laws and policies which affect them and them only, not the rest of the population. Sounds fair to me.
Lester
Celebration of The Voice: This painting represents my Elders and extended mobs sitting around their yarning circle debating on the Treaty and The Voice. The issues surrounding the meanings of what Treaty stands for and what The Voice can do are really important to discuss.
Kent Morris
A First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution is a key element of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. I’ve read and listened to a wide range of information regarding the referendum question and have chosen to ignore the hurtful lies, misinformation and fear associated with the conservative no campaign. I believe we need to create change and not reinforce the ongoing failures of the status quo so I’m supporting a First Nations driven process for respectful and positive change.
Mal
The Voice: My story is about an Elder watching over his Country, hoping one day soon that his people get the right to have a Voice or the right to speak up about the way our Country is being run.
Melissa Petty
Positive and meaningful change based on First Nations knowledge, wisdom and culture is needed at constitutional level, furthermore constitutional recognition of a living culture that is over 65,000 years – the world’s oldest, needs to formally embedded and embraced.
It’s a no brainer – 100% yes!
Roey
One Mob: …Straight up, the Voice to Parliament has divided us Indigenous people in our homeland. Yes?/No? What do you reckon? In the future I see all of this land coming together and uniting as one. One Mob.
Ash Thomas
It was my first time ever voting, and I proudly voted yes.
Shan
Our Voice: This painting represents our Voice. To be recognise in the upcoming referendum with the message to vote yes. There’s Men’s business and two women speaking, all sending their message to man playing the didgeridoo, who is playing the didgeridoo to the goanna to send and take our yes vote all the way to parliament to change history,.
Torch In Community Artist response
I will be voting no
Shan
Say Yes: This is my version of the Future Dreaming for Aboriginal people to finally have a Voice in the referendum. I see that Australia will come together, to let us Aboriginal people have our Voice in parliament and, just like the eagle does, we will soar and come together, unify our races, be fair and treated equally. So say Yes is my Future Dreaming. This is a once in a lifetime chance to change our Voice.
Torch In Community Artist response
I will be voting no. I feel we should be given the treaty we were promised before we worry about a voice.
Torch In Community Artist response
I’m voting yes, so it’s a yes from me, thanks guys 🤛🏽
Torch In Community Artist response
We the original custodians of our great vast land have cared for this rugged beautiful country for thousands of years. We have more right to have a say and be represented. Yes let’s make a stand and make a difference.
Torch In Community Artist response
I will be voting yes
Torch In Community Artist response
YES!
Torch In Community Artist response
Yes!
Torch In Community Artist response
I will be voting no
Sarah Hall
My vote is Yes. The status quo falls short. This is a rare opportunity whereby the status quo has opened its doors for revision and rethinking. Yes is a step closer to meaningful change. Yes is listening to the First Nations voices that have called for this change. Yes gives present and future First Nations voices a means to continue to drive this change. Say Yes to listening, Yes to inviting change.
Torch In Community Artist response
I vote yes
Torch In Community Artist response
My vote is NO. As there is too much uncertainty about yes and what it entails!!! And I just don’t trust the white government and their empty promises!!! History repeats!!! =Indigenous people SUFFER!
Jessie Walton
I am a very firm believer and supporter of the voice. Its about time that a space is made for the first Australians to have a seat at the table how ever that may end up looking like. To be a part of and to be a representative in all decisions relating to themselves and their culture , who better to understand the feelings and needs of their communities than the elders that live within them. It’s a time not just for first Australians but all Australians to stand up and say YES
Bobby Yung
I’m ineligible to vote, but I would vote Yes if I could. I believe that the Voice could be an important pathway to progress on many First Nations issues, including incarceration. Voting No would mean that these issues wouldn’t change and who knows when the next opportunity to impact change might be.