ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a petition created by First Nations People which aims to change the constitution and give recognition to First Nations People. It is a primary source created in 2017 by 250+ people who represented each Nation in Australia. The statement is directed at the rest of Australia and the Government as stated in this excerpt, “walk with us in a movement of the Australian people.” (The Uluru Statement, 2017). First Nations People had three motives for the Uluru Statement. These are voice, truth telling, and Makarrata/treaty. Voice means that they want a voice for their people, especially in parliament. Truth means honesty when retelling Australian history. The writers of this source use the term Makarrata commission to ensure that a treaty/agreement between the all the different Nations and the Australian Government work to achieve the first two goals, (McKay, 2016). Statements such as "Australia was not a settlement … it was an invasion,” (The Uluru Statement, 2017) shows the First Nation’s opinions that the Australia’s history was one of underlying sadness. This source is highly useful in showing how First Nation’s thirst for change and their own words and values. A quote from Archie Law (Chair of Sydney Peace Foundation), “The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a powerful and historic offering of peace… [It] provides a roadmap for recognising First Nations in the Australian Constitution.” (Law, 2021). This quote shows a White person’s perspective of the Statement. Overall, this source is a highly useful primary source that shows the First Nation’s people’s attitudes towards white colonisers creating a ‘new nation.’

It was made by 250+ representatives of various Nations from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They aim to change the constitution and restructure society to allow truth telling about the past