Cassandra Jackson’s Post

Today marks the 57th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum in which Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include us in the Census of Population and Housing, commencing with the 1971 Census. As we consider this historic day in its current context and the defeat of The Voice Referendum, it is hard not to feel we have gone backward as a nation. However, now more than ever we must remind ourselves, and especially our young ones, that the journey towards justice is rarely linear. While we may have suffered some setbacks, we continue to march unwavering towards true reconciliation. Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.   Now more than ever, we need reconciliation. #nascamob #culture #education #community #Aboriginal #Indigenous #FirstNations #1967Referendum #Reconciliation #justice #truth #treaty #voice #NRW2024 #nowmorethanever

Today marks the anniversary of the 2023 Voice Referendum, a day when 60% of Australians said no to recognising First Nations people and giving us a voice in our own affairs. In 2023, all we asked for was to be seen, to be written into the nation’s birth certificate. The constitution, written in 1901, excluded any recognition of First Nations—the Firstborn of this land, who have lived and thrived here for over 65,000 years. I truly believed Australia was ready for this. But referendums aren’t easy. Of the 44 since 1901, only eight have been successful. The most significant was in 1967, allowing us to be counted as citizens and giving the government legal power to make laws for us. In 2023, we weren’t asking for much more—just recognition and a voice in decisions that affect us. But still, the nation said no. It was a sad day. We, as Bininj and Yolngu people, do not deny the world around us. We see you, Balanda people, Gadiya people. But 60% of you chose not to see us. You chose not to correct history. You chose to keep us silent. And that is on you. It is my hope that most of you who voted no did so out of confusion, fear, or uncertainty, stirred by the powerful “no” campaign, rather than a rejection of reconciliation or refusal to acknowledge our country’s ancient history. Regardless, as a voice of reason and optimism, I will not lie down and pretend that our existence and voices don’t matter. In 1803, Matthew Flinders referred to Indigenous people as “Australians,” long before this country was named. We have always been the first Australians, and we will continue to stand strong despite this setback. This morning, I put on a 10 kg weight vest and went for a long walk, carrying the weight of my ancestors on my shoulders—their hopes and aspirations. I will never see that as a burden but as a gift that I carry proudly. Thank you to the 6.5 million allies who voted yes. Our fight for recognition and justice continues. We rise again. #VoiceReferendum #IndigenousRights #alwayswasalwayswillbe #aboriginal

NATIONAL SORRY DAY With Sorry Day upon us, and seven months passed since the Voice Referendum, I’ve been moved to reflect on where we are now. You will have noticed how active the NO voters who agreed ‘we need to do something, just not this’ have been. There’s been a Royal Commission launched into conditions in remote communities. Senator Price, mooted at the time as a ‘future Prime Minister’ has risen to play a significant role in the Opposition’s far-reaching policy proposals, and the Government has shown their commitment by staying the course signalled by the Referendum in the first place. Of course none of this is true and the almost total radio silence on these issues is both underwhelming and unsurprising. So where are we now? I was told by a student yesterday that she experiences racism on a daily basis, instances of overt racism are on the rise, and colleagues claim to have different versions of history they adhere to (ones which tend to make the white guys look good). The LNP in Queensland withdrew from the Truth and Treaty process (having ‘listened’ to the voters in North Queensland - just not the black ones who overwhelmingly supported the Voice). It would be easy to think we are lost - if we didn’t have tens of thousands of years of evidence of the resilience of our First Peoples! The next logical step seems to be truth-telling. The optimist in me says most non-Indigenous Australians simply don’t understand the process and implications of colonisation. The pessimist says they know but they don’t care. But while I’m an optimist at heart, I’m not a naive optimist. If we are to embark on Truth-Telling, a process which will be challenging and damaging, then the Truth-Telling needs Truth-Listening in equal measure! And make no mistake the Truth-Listening will be equally challenging and damaging. But it is necessary. If we are to genuinely move forward towards reconciliation, we need to do so from a place informed by truth, with acknowledgement of the past, and with genuine commitment to an improved Australia for all Australians. Non-Indigenous Australia can no longer take a laidback attitude towards reconciliation. Reconciliation can only be achieved with genuine commitment, from everybody. We might be famous for saying ‘she’ll be right’, but let’s face it, since colonisation, she never has been!

#anyotherdayforaustraliaday On May 27 in 1967 Australians voted yes to a referendum to give I digits Australians more recognition (to be included in the census FFS) and rights. Does that mean we were a less rascist country in 67 than we are nearly 60 years later. Here’s more info if you want https://lnkd.in/gMXJcXte May 27th for Australia Day or #anyotherdayforaustraliaday

In my National Flag Day message last year, I wrote about the then forthcoming Voice referendum stating that I hoped our national flag – a symbol of one country and one people – was on the minds of Australians when they went to vote. On 14 October 2023, millions of Australians rejected the divisive Voice referendum in what was a resounding result. Australians sent a clear message to the Prime Minister: they do not want our country to be divided by ancestry and race. On this National Flag Day, let us look to our one flag to revive our national unity and rediscover our national confidence in testing times. Let us dismiss those voices that are determined to define and divide us on the basis of our differences: our race, sex, religion, class and more besides. Instead, let us renew our focus on the far more meaningful things that we have in common: our love of family, our appreciation for friends and colleagues, our attachment to community, our aspiration, compassion and optimism, our respect for law and liberty, our devotion to our country, and our desire to protect our great democracy and its values. On this 123rd anniversary of our national flag, may we celebrate it as proud Australians. Patriotism is about much more than a love for and loyalty to our country. It is about gratitude to our forebears for forging the achievement of modern Australia. It is about custodianship of their legacy and seeking to build upon it. It is about bequeathing to future generations of Australians a country better than the one we inherited. Today, may we remember the time-transcending meaning of our flag and the duty and unity it inspires.

Now more than ever #NRW24 With just short of 15% of the vulnerable young people StreetWork supported last year identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, we fully support National Reconciliation Week 2024 (NRW2024). The dates for NRW remain the same each year - 27 May to 3 June – annually commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. This year’s NRW theme, ‘now more than ever’, is an acknowledgement to the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES in last year’s referendum, urging us all to consider that now more than ever, the work towards reconciliation continues: in treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We all have a role to play and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Now more than ever #NRW24 With just short of 15% of the vulnerable young people StreetWork supported last year identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, we fully support National Reconciliation Week 2024 (NRW2024). The dates for NRW remain the same each year - 27 May to 3 June – annually commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. This year’s NRW theme, ‘now more than ever’, is an acknowledgement to the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES in last year’s referendum, urging us all to consider that now more than ever, the work towards reconciliation continues: in treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We all have a role to play and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Today is a difficult day for many. The outcome of the referendum, while final, does not erase the deep hurt caused by the process itself. The resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continues to inspire me, but it’s important to recognise that their strength should never be used to justify ignoring the harm and division that has surfaced. Moving forward means taking a hard look at the lessons from the referendum and acknowledging the uncomfortable truths it exposed about the Australian nation. Yet, we also must remember that over 6 million Australians cast a vote for equality, inclusion, and a better future by voting ‘Yes.’ This is a reminder that many share the hope for a more just and inclusive Australia. In the powerful words of Professor Megan Davis: This is not about right and left. It’s about right and left foot. Rolling out of bed and putting one in front of the other. Walking alongside all Australians. In a Movement of the Australian People for a Better Future: https://lnkd.in/g4cH7NBp The path ahead requires unity, deep reflection, and a commitment to true reconciliation—one that listens to and honours Indigenous voices. #VoiceReferendum #IndigenousRights #Reconciliation #ReflectAndLearn #AustraliaForAll #InclusionAndJustice Image Credit: Clothing The Gaps email received 14/10/2024.

🚨 Scottish Independence Polling — 10 Years On 🚨 In exclusive research for The Sunday Times and The Times, Opinium reveals that if a second independence referendum were held today, the margin between Yes and No would be far closer, with just a 2-point lead for the Union (No: 47%, Yes: 45%). Support among younger voters for independence is particularly strong, with 63% of 16 to 34-year-olds backing independence. Despite the narrowing of the No lead since 2014, there is relatively little that Scots think would actually improve under independence according to many Scottish voters. Independence and its impact remain divisive: 47% believe tax rates would be worse, and 42% expect Scotland’s defence and security to be worse. The full insights, to be published later this week, suggest that the ideal solution for most seems to be remaining in the Union. But this means it is up to Unionists to put forward a positive vision for what an empowered Scotland within the UK looks like. Stay tuned for Opinium's full insights, written by myself and Kai Hain, in a report this Wednesday, marking the 10th anniversary of the referendum. In the meantime, you can explore the published data tables for the current polling here: https://lnkd.in/exbUSWYu See the article in The Sunday Times here: https://lnkd.in/etku6rCS #Opinium #Scotland #IndyRef #ScottishIndependence #Polling #SundayTimes

❗Today is the first day of National Reconciliation Week - and the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. 57 years ago today, more than 90% of those who voted replied ‘yes’ to changing the constitution and removing discriminatory measures against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This outcome meant that Indigenous people were included in the national census and cemented a step-change in attitudes towards inhumane policies and laws. The 1967 Referendum remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey toward Reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights in Australia. This years' theme, Now More Than Ever, is a powerful call to all Australians to continue this unfinished business. 💪🏾 For many non-Indigenous people, the 1967 Referendum was the start of their Allyship journey, what was the start of yours? #NowMoreThanEver #NationalReconciliationWeek #ReconciliationAustralia #PracticalReconciliation #AllyTraining