Insightful Perspectives: First Nations Men from Three Generations Speak Out on Australia's Referendum

Uncle Bob Anderson took initiative and stationed himself at a tram stop in central Brisbane before Australians participated in the 1967 referendum on First Nations people.

Sitting at a table and chair by the railway, he engaged with whoever would give him a moment to share his thoughts. Uncle Bob emphasized that Australia conducted censuses for horses, cows, sheep, and goats, without including its Indigenous population. Prompting contemplation, he posed the question, "Do you believe they deserve to be counted?"

56 years later, on a hot Sunday in Brisbane, the Ngugi Elder could be seen sitting on a chair, his wispy white hair concealed by a straw hat. His prominent presence symbolized his support for another referendum pertaining to his community. In various cities across Australia, thousands of individuals congregated for "Walk for Yes" rallies in anticipation of the upcoming vote on October 14.

On that day, approximately 17.5 million eligible voters will be given the opportunity to decide whether Australia should amend its constitution to establish a permanent advisory body comprising First Nations individuals, who will offer insights on issues directly impacting them. At the age of 94, Anderson emphasizes that a Yes vote is not only significant to him personally, but also for the entire nation.

"By talking and walking together as a nation and as a society, we will share a common destiny," he said.

Uncle Bob Anderson campaigned for the last referendum on First Nations rights in 1967.

Hilary Whiteman/CNN

A vocal No

But less than four weeks out from the vote, polls suggest the split between the supporters and opponents is widening, in favor of no change to the constitution.

Wearing his objections boldly on his T-shirt, Wayne Wharton, a respected Aboriginal activist, voiced his dissent towards the Yes supporters on a bridge in central Brisbane. As people of various ages and races passed by, he passionately shouted, "You are a thief, a liar, and a gatekeeper! Return what you have taken! Give back what you have stolen!"

Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton delivers his message to supporters at the "Walk for Yes" rally in Brisbane on Sunday, September 17.

Hilary Whiteman/CNN

The 62-year-old Kooma man told CNN on the phone that fundamentally people are being asked the wrong question.

"In a country that upholds principles of goodwill and seeks fairness, such a question would never have arisen. Instead, the focus would have been on discussions about treaties or equitable occupation," he expressed.

Similar to Anderson, Wharton recalls the imposition of curfews that restricted First Nations individuals to the peripheries of towns during nighttime, the derogatory remarks thrown at him and his family, the mistreatment endured by his ancestors confined to missions, and the abduction of First Nations children as part of assimilation policies, which eventually led to a nationwide apology.

Wharton expressed his desire for "liberation, freedom, and restitution" to be achieved through negotiations between the numerous Aboriginal nations and the occupiers of their land. He believes that significant changes have occurred during his 60 years, and with the passing of the white bigots who established this continent of privilege, the forthcoming generations possess a stronger belief in equity and justice.

A Yes for change

In my children's era, I am confident that many of the challenges we face today will be resolved. This is precisely why I am determined to ensure that the window of opportunity remains open for individuals to pursue fair professions when the time arises. I aim to establish a framework that remains untainted by desperate individuals who may attempt to alter the constitution in 2023.

Nick Harvey-Doyle, an Anaiwan man from New South Wales, who is half the age of Wharton and a third of the age of the Aboriginal Elder Anderson, has a different perspective. From his New York apartment, he co-organized a walk across Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, which was attended by over 350 people, predominantly Australians, advocating for a Yes vote.

"I hail from a quaint countryside in a small country, boasting a population of approximately 10,000 individuals. Interestingly, it appears that there are approximately 8,000 Australians residing in the New York tri-state area. This presence of fellow countrymen and women in such a concentrated region is akin to having an entire town's worth of votes," he expressed.

Nick Harvey-Doyle is studying in New York and is calling for a Yes vote.

Courtesy Nick Harvey-Doyle

Harvey-Doyle, a former lawyer, is currently pursuing studies at New York University through the Roberta Sykes Scholarship. This scholarship is specifically designed to support Indigenous students in their postgraduate research endeavors overseas. Sykes, the first Black Australian to attend Harvard, played a pivotal role in advocating for the Yes vote during the 1967 Referendum, which successfully resulted in the inclusion of Indigenous people in Australia's Census figures. The referendum received an overwhelming approval rate of over 90%.

Harvey-Doyle urged Australians residing abroad to exercise their voting rights in order to enhance the quality of life for First Nations individuals, who have consistently faced disparities in health and welfare compared to the non-Indigenous population of the country.

"As Aboriginal individuals, we lack control over our deeply personal and significant matters," he expressed.

Aboriginal people possess distinct lifestyles compared to non-Indigenous people. However, the existing structures and institutions often fail to acknowledge these differences and are not culturally suitable for addressing our requirements.

Having a constitutionally recognized body empowered to offer guidance on our lives and concerns is of utmost importance.

More than 350 people walked across Brooklyn Bridge in New York to call for a Yes vote in the Australian Voice referendum.

As of Sunday, the Australian Electoral Commission reported that over 96,000 registered voters, including both expatriates and approximately 58,000 individuals who have informed the commission about their travel plans on October 14, are currently residing outside of Australia.

Voting in Australia is mandatory, but being outside of the country is a valid exemption. Over 100 polling centers worldwide will be open for in-person voting or individuals can choose to vote by mail. Overseas voting will commence on October 2.

For the referendum to be successful, it must receive a majority vote across the nation and also obtain a majority in at least four states.

The outcome of this vote will not be determined by Indigenous people; instead, it will be in the hands of millions of non-Indigenous Australians. Among them are individuals who oppose the idea of granting Indigenous people a unique status within the constitution, criticizing the vote as being "divisive." Wharton argues that the notion of allowing millions of non-Indigenous voters to decide on matters concerning only 3% of the population is inherently racist.

Harvey-Doyle expresses concern over the potential message conveyed by a no vote, both within the country and internationally. He believes that voting against the proposal would indicate a complacency towards the disadvantaged circumstances faced by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. According to him, this goes against the values of being Australian, which includes providing equal opportunities for everyone.

"Itll be a really sad global position for us to put ourselves in, if we do vote No."