As the South Australian Voice to Parliament prepare to discuss the process of electing two state representatives from each region, Narungga representative for the Central Region, Cheryl Axleby joined Kirstyn Lindsay to share her vision on what she says is a test to show the rest of Australia how a localised Voice to Parliament can change the lives of First Nations peoples in her communities.
Cheryl Axleby is known for her tireless advocacy in the justice and housing space and holds many more feathers in her cap. In this interview, she discusses her drive to step into this role as one of eleven local First Nations Voice representatives for the Central region in South Australia.
She says the South Australia First Nations Voice to Parliament is important because she thinks about her ancestors and the Elders and leaders who created the Aboriginal organisations in South Australia. “I think this a legacy of them that I think we need to continue,’ she says ‘ you know having our voices heard so we get our needs met for our communities.”
” In Australia we should be reaching a maturity in this nation where we have bi-partisan support with recognition of First Nations Peoples in this beautiful country”
Leading up to the 2024 Voice to Parliament Referendum the current South Australia government worked towards legislating the First Nations Voice Act 2023 to Parliament prior to this agreement with the signing of the 2018 Narungga Buthera Agreement. The agreement was drafted to support a respectful relationship between the Narungga People and the state of South Australia supporting Narungga People to succeed in cultural, social and economic advancement.
“Recognising First Nations people and culture at world sporting events isn’t enough.”
Cheryl says this Voice legislated in South Australia is the test and the test of the commitment from the South Australian government to show the rest of Australia how this process can improve the lives of First Nations through an advisory body legislated in parliament to work on key issues to strengthen policy with inclusive decision making for First Nations People. These decisions can contribute to reform and recommendation for the Treaty and the Truth-telling process all drafted the Statement from the Heart framework.
Narunnga Central Region representative Cheryl Axleby says it’s time for bi-partisan support across Australia and there are still risks from the opposition.” In Australia, we should be reaching a maturity in this nation where we have bi-partisan support with recognition of First Nations Peoples in this beautiful country, ‘ she says ‘recognising our diversity in language and culture, us as the Traditional Owners.”
“Recognising First Nations people and culture at world sporting events isn’t enough.”
