Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum

On October 14, 2023 , all Australians eligible to vote, will be asked to vote individually on a referendum concerning a Voice to Parliament for First Nations Peoples.  Throughout this year across our Baptist family, we have discussed this topic widely – and have listened to the corporate discernment. To this end, the BUV will not have an official position on the Yes or No Vote for a Voice to Parliament. However, most importantly, the BUV will continue to pursue our journey of reconciliation and deep commitment to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, based on previous history and resolutions.

During our discussions, many people indicated they needed answers to some questions before they felt informed enough to contribute. We have sought answers to some of the questions raised during these discussions, including from a Christian Indigenous leader and these can be found below. 

Today we focus on justice and advocacy for our First Nations peoples.  Creator God has blessed us with the oldest living people and culture here on these lands we now call Australia. However, since colonisation, our First Nations peoples have been treated with indignity. They have experienced loss of land, culture, language, and they have lost many precious lives. Today we have the opportunity to listen, lament and to stand in solidarity with our First Nations sisters and brothers. We encourage you to watch and share the video below.

• Join the Online Prayer Vigil for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
• Watch Aunty Dr Anne Pattel-Gray’s keynote address from the Surrender Mini-Festival inviting us to listen and go on a journey of relationship with First Nations peoples.
• Educate yourself through a range of resources using Common Grace’s suggested videos and readings.
• Take action and speak out against Aboriginal deaths in custody, by writing or speaking to your local MP.
• If you want to delve further into advocacy for this topic, check out the What We’re Asking section for this theme in the Justice 2021

VIDEO and ON-LINE RESOURCES:

• Dale Stephenson, Senior Pastor Crossway: australianstogether.org.au
• From the Heart:
  Campaign and educational resources fromtheheart.com.au/
  Online e-learning course fromtheheart.com.au/education/
• Australians Together Resources:
  australianstogether.org.au/churches/
• Uluru Statement quick guide:
  Uluru Statement – aph.gov.au/
• Common Grace
  commongrace.org.au/
  listentotheheart.org.au/
  Sermon Aboriginal Sunday 2023 Listening to the Voices from the Past – YouTube
• First Australians Series – SBS on Demand
• Panel at Surrender Conference 2023 discussing the First Nations Voice to Parliament – https://youtu.be/QgLvinUi2IY

BOOKS

• Riding the Black Cockatoo – John Danalis
• One Blood – John Harris
• Lowitja – Stuart Rintoul
• Tumultuous Times (Chapter 4) – Dr John Sampson

OTHER RESOURCES

• Scott Darlow is a Yorta Yorta man who lives in Melbourne. He is available to speak and sing in your church. scottdarlow.com; scottdarlow@icloud.com

Surrender

Common Grace Resources

• A video conversation with Aboriginal Christians on the meaning of Reconciliation
  https://www.commongrace.org.au/conversation_nrw2022
  Take the opportunity to deeply listen to Aboriginal Christian Leaders Uncle Ray Minniecon, Aunty Sue Hodges and Adam Gowen as they reflect on the meaning of Reconciliation and how we can practically love in action as Jesus calls us to do.
• Raise the Age campaign
  https://www.commongrace.org.au/letter_raisetheage
  Letter template to send the Premier and/or Attorney General in your State or Territory a letter urging them to take action to #RaiseTheAge of criminal responsibility.

Baptist Mission Australia

• Cross-cultural workers in Outback Australia 
• Educational Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice, through Common Grace
• Suggested template to write to your MP to speak out against Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
• The first Aboriginal Baptist pastor ordained – Uncle Pastor Graham Paulson’s story
• Baptist Mission Australia: Meet Mat and Shannon
• Baptist Mission Australia: Meet Mat and Shannon (video)
• Baptist Mission Australia:: Meet Danny and Beth
• Their Own Distinctive Ways – Outback Australia