The voice of different generations

This year’s National Reconciliation Week’s theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ is a call to action for everyone to be a voice for reconciliation.

We invited two different generations of First Nations people from BSL to offer their perspective on what reconciliation means for them. Below are their thoughts.

My view of reconciliation for generations to come is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have an opportunity continue strengthening our self-determination. The grassroots activism of our elders will have cultivated space for us as a community to heal and thrive. I reflect on all the hard work of First Nations people in my community and how it has led to me as an Aboriginal person having greater opportunity to celebrate my culture and succeed in all aspects of my life. The future for my nieces and nephews, I hope, is a place where they can feel proud of their culture and not limited by it. Uncle John's endless contributions to the community is an example to me of how we can influence reconciliation for generations to come.

Proud Aboriginal woman and First Nations Employment Advisor, Grace Birch

How do I see reconciliation in the next 5 / 10 / 20 years...?

I guess as one of our First Nations Peoples working at BSL, if I had to delve into reconciliation, my first thoughts would be that we have to be working together, and working with, not for, the community.We have to accept we are not playing on an even playing field, far from it. We have to stop thinking that its someone else’s problem. We need to accept this did happen, this does happen and will continue to happen until we take that step forward, take ownership of the problem and do something about it. How long this will take depends on how long you’re not willing to get onboard. We can wait, but it’s at the detriment to all Australians.

Proud Latji Latji / Narungga man and NDIS Community Engagement Lead Aboriginal Partnerships, Uncle John Baxter