Dr. Margie Mackay

I have learned much from First Nations Elders & friends & through my own doctoral research. The reality of the Indigenous population being reduced to 20% of the population (before colonisation) as a result of massacres & introduced illnesses (eg smallpox) indicates a long legacy of abuse & attempted genocide. The reality of loss of country (being moved on to the missions) loss of language, identity, family & culture cannot be underestimated. The impact on First Peoples has been profound & devastating – with institutionalised, systemic, individual & governmental racism still operating in many of mainstream Australia’s institutions & discernable in our social mores & the devastating outcome of the National Referendum.

There was NO education about FN history & culture when I was growing up – FN peoples were seen & dismissed as a dying race. FN peoples were less important than sheep & the history of the wool industry. These days some schools make an effort – but so much more can be done. Simple modules to tick off are not good enough – embodied & relational understanding must occur. Teaching of FN culture & History should be done by FN peoples – not by school teachers who may have dubious ideas about the subject.

Truth telling, more financial support for VACCHOs, more universal educational programs & representation in media, primary & secondary schools having mandatory curriculum on FN History, Culture & impacts of Colonisation. Educating on what the reality of Terra Nullius means & meant – how Mabo challenged this in court (along with his drawings of land & sea country) … FN soldiers being underrepresented in memorials & little understanding of their unequal treatment after the war …through to Stolen Generations & other more recent public policies – interventions etc. Also importantly to learn the different country names in the state, & to support & showcase the many talents of FN Victorians more visibly (arts, sports, culture & so many in the health & justice sectors who work hard to create affirmative policies.

Listening, learning, talking with other whitefellas & talking with them about what you have learnt & where resources are available to assist in this process of understanding & truth telling. I think allies are at the ready to stand by our FN brothers & sisters in support of these important processes in whatever way community feels best. Important for white fellas to learn of the injustices & cruelty of our past, of how this impacts on all aspects of health & wellbeing across generations – transgenerational trauma, health conditions & racism etc. Also to bring to light recent & ongoing systems that repress & keep FN many communities disadvantaged, poor & vulnerable & to sand up against any racism or misinformation that we come up against. Being prepared to listen to the ‘uncomfortable’ truth & to hear why treaty is important with the shameful understanding that we are the only commonwealth country without a treaty with FN peoples. Truth telling in south Africa had a profoundly healing impact for many people. Being heard is vital & to enable processes to be FN led.

Listening, learning, talking with other whitefellas & talking with them about what you have learnt & where resources are available to assist in this process of understanding & truth telling. I think allies are at the ready to stand by our FN brothers & sisters in support of these important processes in whatever way community feels best. Important for white fellas to learn of the injustices & cruelty of our past, of how this impacts on all aspects of health & wellbeing across generations – transgenerational trauma, health conditions & racism etc. Also to bring to light recent & ongoing systems that repress & keep FN many communities disadvantaged, poor & vulnerable & to sand up against any racism or misinformation that we come up against. Being prepared to listen to the ‘uncomfortable’ truth & to hear why treaty is important with the shameful understanding that we are the only commonwealth country without a treaty with FN peoples. Truth telling in south Africa had a profoundly healing impact for many people. Being heard is vital & to enable processes to be FN led.