The Importance of Engagement

1. The Importance of Engagement Tokenism V Symbolism

2. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Article 15 outlines the rights of Indigenous peoples to have their dignity and diversity of cultures respected and imposes obligations on States to take action in conjunction with Indigenous peoples to combat prejudice and to promote tolerance, understanding and good relations. Constitutional Reform as a nation-building process can help achieve this.

3. Tiers to an effective or meaningful consultation process with Aboriginal people • The first tier is Aboriginal agencies and peak bodies. • The second tier is Aboriginal service providers. • The third tier is Aboriginal individuals/community members.

4. Benefits of reform Many positive benefits from reforming our constitution • enrich the shared identity of the nation • improvements to democracy with rights protection • reconciliation

5. Benefits of reform • modernising our constitution to reflect the nation we really are today and the nation we aspire to be into the future. • Creates an opportunity for all Australians to think and talk about our identify as Australians and our collective identity which includes Aboriginal and TSI people.

6. Improvements to the lives of Aboriginal and TSI peoples There is a great potential (if successful) • address the historical exclusion of Aboriginal people - … • improve the sense of self worth and emotional well being of ATSI people - can not be under estimated…. • Non-discrimination • Refresh/Renewal of relationship with Govt. • Positive relationship building – mutual respect

7. Reconciliation • The referendum process will require Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people to talk with each other. • It will require the collective efforts of all Australians to get behind this referendum process. • The relationships that are built over this process are just as important as the writing on the paper that amends the constitution. • It gives it real meaning in our lives. • Dealing with the past exclusions and setting a path way for the future in reconciliation, a moving into the future together is reconciliation

8. Symbolism vs practical outcomes Removing discrimination - practical Symbols are meaningful in any nation building exercise , identity is important to Australia

9. Symbolism vs practical outcomes Engagement of Aboriginal people in this process also ensures that the words are not tokenistic but reflect the respect and recognition that we seek; this is very meaningful and powerful to us. Shifting of language and involvement in a process is again transformative and tangible in the lives of all Australians.

10. What can I do to support the reform? • Get involved inform yourself • http://www.youmeunity.org.au/ • http://www.hreoc.gov.au/constitution/index.html participate in online forums, share your views whether it is in support or against the reforms. These are important discussions and insights to share

11. What can I do to support the reform? • participate in media surveys and polls – politicians respond to these and good that public understand there is broad support • politicians letters etc.. • organise events like this • talk to your friends and family!