Makarrata is much more than just a synonym for treaty, though. It is a complex Yolngu word describing a process of conflict resolution, peacemaking and justice.
It is a philosophy that helped develop and maintain lasting peace among the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land.
“Makarrata has so many layers of meaning,” says Merrikiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, a Gumatj woman and principal of Arnhem Land’s Yirrkala School.
“The first one, and the main one, is peace after a dispute.
Australia is one of few Commonwealth nations not to currently have a treaty or treaties with its Indigenous people, despite ongoing calls for a settlement.
The term Makarrata has long been proposed as an alternative name for the treaty process in this country. However, many people have only become familiar with it since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was released in May.
Here is my accepted Submission. How long for some action?
Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Submission 87
Senator Patrick Dodson and Mr. Julian Lesser MP
Chairs
Joint Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600 4th June 2018
Dear people,
SUBMISSION ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRE STRAIT PEOPLE
I wish you to hear my voice as a white Australian who supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It is time that we listen to our First Nation Peoples. I am studying the white voices in the wilderness of the 1920’s, I have read the poetry of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, I lived in a country town as a child in the 50’s and I know how the Aboriginal people were treated . I am attending the Myall Creek Memorial Celebration this long June Weekend. I am aware of our policies of the past. I am aware of the blood shed although I was not taught any of this at school. ( Fortunately this is changing).
This last ten years there has been movement. Yet to hide behind and slow down everything we have had so many expert panels and committees including the recommendations in 2012 but now we must listen to the people themselves.
The mistakes of the past are with us – so violently in our subconscious that we spend a lot of effort suppressing and controlling our history, ignoring facts ,the truth.
Many, especially the older generations still live in fairy land of a peaceful past, still white washing our Nations story.
Trying to move forward as a nation without resolving and recognising the past will not work. We can no longer afford to ignore or deny our history.
We need leadership that explains this to the older people who were not told the truth at school.
We need leadership to encourage the people that it is to the advantage of us as a Nation to recognise and reconcile. And we need both side. Today we have an outreached hand to move forward. And we do not reach out . Our leader ignored the hand.!
The Uluru Statement from the Heart gives us a clear vision of a way forward for
- constitutional reform
- agreement making
- truth telling of our history from a different point of view.
The wonderful thing about this new move is it comes from the heart, symbolically from the heart of our nation.
It comes from a voice that is new, mature and it has the backing of the people from all around the nation. This consensus is unprecedented.
Its recommendation of a ‘voice to Parliament is our only viable way forward at this time.
Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Submission 87
Further it does not ask for a level of parliament but just as a voice. It does not water down the parliament . . it simply seeks to ensure that decision-makers of the parliament hear the voice of those that they affect so that decisions are better informed.
I know as usual we wanted to do some symbolic change of the constitution and not rock the boat. Well that will no longer work . The First Nation people will not accept symbolic moves anymore.
We have been given their well thought through statement and we have to move NOW.
This is the right side of history. If we don’t do it someone has to.
Please I ask that you take this seriously. Make this the last committee or expert panel that has to be formed to try and hide behind. There is already enough evidence from New Zealand and Canada to show this move makes it better for the First Nations but makes it better for all the people.
I believe one day the Uluru Statement from the Heart will be framed, enshrined in our parliament.
I just hope with all my heart that this step in the long journey of Reconciliation with our First Nations people happens in my life time. It is up to you the Committee now to say yes we are listening, let us move forward from here and it is up to our leader to bring the people with them and it is up to us to be awake and alert to helping carry those who are still fearful or ignorant or uneasy or unsure.
We can do it but we need your action this year to speak up and say Yes to our future as a mature nation.
Yours sincerely, Colleen Keating
