Read Part 1 here — Indigenous Sovereignty: Welcome to Country Explained
Read Part 2 here — Indigenous Sovereignty: Right-Wing Extremism Rises
Young Australians Powering the Pursuit for Change
The Australian Reconciliation Barometer found 80% of young Australians (compared to 55% in the general community) aged 18-24 expressed support for Welcome to Country acknowledgements at major events.
The Report found 66% of young Australians stated they want to move towards reconciliation. Chief Executive of Reconciliation Australia Karen Mundine, in an ABC article by Dana Morse, emphasised these figures are due to truth-telling history being taught in schools.
‘There is a growing number of young people becoming more educated and better aware…Knowing where we’ve come from, knowing our histories, knowing the things that have gotten us to where we are today influences how we can actually make change today, but also create that change for a better future’, said Mundine.
According to the National Indigenous Times Nation-wide ‘Sovereignty Never Ceded’ protests saw thousands of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people stand together against the violent Camp Sovereignty attack.
Protest organisers The Black Caucus explained according to Epoch Times, that ‘institutional policies and rhetoric, from governments and the media’ fuel the grounds and ‘the environment in which extremist groups thrive’.
Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Strategy
Western has been at the forefront of Indigenous truth-telling and education outlined in the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
This strategy recognises Indigenous voices in teaching, research, engagement and governance through a partnership between Badanami WSU and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Leadership, Michelle Trudgett.
Western’s Badanami Student Success Officer Adrian Atkins details his excitement for the new plan and what the partnership means for Western’s Indigenous students, staff and communities:
‘I think this is a wonderful opportunity…We have things in place at Western that other universities may not have access to so I think that if we proceed with confidence I think that the next strategic plan will be an interesting thing because we will have things achieved things that Michelle and her team have been working on for years’.
The Pursuit for Unity, Knowledge and Change
Lecturer at the University Dr Donna James, outlines how education combined with action can motivate justice and change:
‘In my classes I find a lot of students are already very informed and very motivated to push for change…[However]… Knowledge doesn’t lead to change without action. I tell my students all the time, being university educated is an immense privilege, but it comes with a responsibility’.
‘Take the knowledge and share it… use the critical and analytical skills we teach you to argue with people who are misinformed and reproduce harmful ideas. Complain, write letters, speak out. Call out structural racism and oppression’.
Atkins holds the same view in prioritising the education and awareness of young Australians but highlights more is needed to combat extremism:
‘I have a lot of respect for the young generation as they are very hungry to know and want to learn… they don’t like these unresolved issues to just live from one generation to the next and I think that gives me cause for hope…’
‘However, I also know there are also some really uninformed young ones who are a part of the ultra-conservative narrative… As a student-facing support officer, there have been occasions where students have been confronted in a tutorial by something completely outrageous said and they have to deal with that. So, we need to be mindful and vigilant, ready and informed in this area’.
Atkins explains how to be an ally for change in protecting Indigenous sovereignty in Australian social and political discourses:
‘Our politicians have not been interested in building consensus because the politics of division [are] very much in full thrust in our political system and it’s easy. It’s hard to build consensus, it’s hard to build connections, it’s hard keeping the lines of compassion open. So, in Australian society we must be mindful of where we privilege one over the other in our political discourses… [we must] come together and sit that consensus’.
‘Listen to Indigenous peoples’ voices on matters and centre and amplify Indigenous perspectives when you can,” Dr. James agrees. “Be a vocal ally. Be self-aware and critical of your relative privilege and acknowledge the responsibility that comes with that privilege. Support Indigenous artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Walk the walk and encourage others to walk it with you’.
