#kalkarindji

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[journeytorecognition]

The simplicity of constitutional recognition

I never would have thought I’d get to say I traveled throughout the Northern Territory and Western Australia to spread the word on recognising the first Australians in our Constitution. A once in a lifetime opportunity; we set out from Darwin, visiting Kakadu, Katherine, Kalkarinji (Wave Hill), before driving on to Kunanurra. Although an extremely special experience, it wasn’t easy. The heat was stifling, reaching as high as 42 degrees. Where there was tarmac it could get at hot as 46 degrees! This made changing the 3 flat tyres we got in 2 days even more difficult than changing a tyre needs to be. It was also difficult to see other Aboriginal people, citizens of this nation, living in such dire conditions. It saddened me that although we consider ourselves the lucky country, our Constitution still allows for discrimination of a people, based on their race, when many are lacking the basic amenities enjoyed by most other Australians. This was a challenging leg, but this leg of the Journey was also one of the most rewarding I have had personally, and in terms of the campaign. I met people who not only should be recognised by the Australian Constitution, but should be celebrated as Australian legends; exemplars of all our greatest values. What better embodiment of the Australian ideal of ‘a fair go’ do we have than Uncle Jimmy Wave Hill? He was an Aboriginal stockman who was part of the Wave Hill Walk-Off, where equal treatment was demanded for equal work, regardless of race. What greater example is there of the Australian ability to ‘cut to the chase’ than Ben Ward? After being told about the lack of Indigenous recognition in the Constitution, he took a moment to think about it, looked up from his painting and said to me “Aboriginal people took those first white stockmen across this country and showed them the way. We respected their law and culture, and they should respect ours.” Meeting people such as Ben and Uncle Jimmy gave me goosebumps. Their support of this issue impressed upon me the importance of what we are doing; advocating for constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples and cultures. I do not want to let these great men down. But perhaps more importantly, my conversations with these men allowed me to see the simplicity of constitutional recognition. Its about Australia taking a moment to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, in the hope of building a better future than the past that has brought us here. Lachlan McDaniel - Wiradjuri man and Journey participant