Our Australian story: How symbolism can help us stride towards unity

When you think about Australia, what do you see? Images of beaches, barbecues and bushlands brimming with wildlife? And what is at the centre of this cultural collage? 

What lies at the heart of our nation’s story?

On International Women’s Day 2023, Future Women partnered with Witchery and Breville to host a panel of powerful Indigenous women confronting that conversation head on.

Led by Eualayai and Gamilaroi woman Larissa Behrendt AO, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, the panel discussion began with a reflection on the significance of occasions such as International Women’s Day.

Tanya Denning-Orman is concerned a no vote could be psychologically scarring for First Nations people.

“I’m a big believer in moments,” said Birri and Buugu Yimidhirr woman Tanya Denning-Orman, the Director of Indigenous Content at SBS.

“I know we can say, ‘yes, we celebrate every day’ and the like, but bringing together people where we can actually focus and then think about the conversations we hear and then take that away; it is an important day that we have an opportunity like this.”

Making space for these conversations, the rest of the panel agreed, is particularly important in the lead up to the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which is due to be held later this year.

Alison Page is concerned that conversations about the Voice are being overcomplicated.

According to award-winning creative, film producer and storyteller Alison Page, who is a descendent of the Walbanga and Wadi Wadi people of the Yuin and Tharawal nations, discussions around the upcoming referendum are being overcomplicated.

“It’s a very simple proposition that’s been put forward to the Australian people, and that is, ‘do you support the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?’,” she said.

“It’s really just asking Australians to support the idea that our people should have a say in how things are run in our communities.”

But the Voice represents more than just recognition and a right to self-determination.

Nakkiah Lui joined Future Women’s International Women’s Day dinner and panel.

Gamilaroi and Torres Strait Islander actor, writer and comedian Nakkiah Lui reflected on what she sees as the missing piece of this national conversation: looking back, as well as forward, asking how a community can “dream of the future if it doesn’t know its past?”

“I don’t think Australia knows its past,” she explained. “I think ultimately that’s a battle. The Australian community fights every single day: ‘who are we?’ Because we don’t know where we’re from.”

Nakkiah emphasised the importance of truthful storytelling when it comes to building a better future, highlighting the role that symbols such as the Voice have in this process.

“I think having that symbolism, changing the narrative and saying, ‘we’re going to recognise Aboriginal people in this country, we’re going to give Aboriginal people some power’, I think that really changes what Australia is and where we go in the future,” she said.

The panel discussed Black joy, allyship and the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Speaking on symbolism, Larissa Behrendt AO expressed concerns about the emotional impact an unsuccessful referendum could have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“I think it will be devastating if it’s a no,” she said. “I think it sends a terrible message to First Nations people. There is a danger in that symbolism that will have a huge psychological scar.”

She also reflected on the importance of treating the referendum as the first step in a larger national shift, laid out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, while acknowledging that views among First Nations people are not homogenous.

“You have people who simply don’t want to have any recognition, and they’re coming from a very conservative point of view. But you have people who are saying no because it doesn’t go far enough, and I do think that nuance is important,” she said.

“This is the beginning of what we’ve asked for. I think those voices are a reminder that that’s the beginning of the conversation. There is Voice, there is Truth, and then there’s Treaty.”

In Nakkiah’s words, “At the end of the day, when that vote comes, whether it’s a yes or a no, you’re voting to change the story that we’re telling as a country.”

So, what lies at the heart of our nation’s story?

For better or for worse, the answer to that question lies in your hands.

This panel discussion was recorded by ABC for an episode of the Speaking Out podcast, hosted by Larissa Behrendt. You can listen to it now here.

ARTWORK: PROUD SAMSEP WOMAN, ALYSHA MENZEL
PHOTOGRAPHER: CARLY EARL AND KYRA FROM FLASHPOINT LABS
HAIR AND MAKE UP: JASMIN LO AND JAQUE DI CONDIO
LOCATION: IVY BALLROOM, SYDNEY