Voice to Parliament supporters from the Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group. Photo by Todd Russell.

FIRST-time voters and other young people wanting to know more about the Voice to Parliament are invited to ask hard questions and have honest conversations in a safe space hosted by Reconciliation WA.

On May 27 they’re holding an afternoon of “yarning” with WA Uluru Youth Dialogue members Sophie Coffin who’s a Nyangumarta Yindjibarndi woman, Ngarluma 

and Bardi man Tyson McEwan. They’re joined by Uluru Dialogue head of engagement Nolan Hunter, a Bardi and Yawuru man.

“It is really important for young people in WA to have a space to learn about The Voice to Parliament and the referendum,” Ms Coffin says. 

Candid

“It’s important they feel comfortable to ask questions freely so that we can have frank and candid conversations – not only to connect, but to convey the significance of the Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal people, and the role of young people in WA generally in shaping the future of our country through the referendum.”

Mr McEwan said this would be the first referendum many young people had participated in, and “as part of this referendum process, young people need a space to convey their perspectives on what the Voice means to them, as the referendum outcome will impact us all”.

Reconciliation WA CEO Jody Nunn says it’s important for the next generation to be informed ahead of the Voice to Parliament vote.

“It’s a really powerful moment in a nation’s history. 

“We know we’ve had 44 referendums and only eight have been successful, so the importance of the next generation understanding this opportunity and this moment in time is crucial. We wanted to bring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal voices together to have this really important conversation.”

Uluru Youth Yarns (plus music and performances with Wardandi Bibbulmun singer Boox Kid) is at The Constitutional Centre in West Perth from 5pm on May 27, and it’s free but register at http://www.recwa.org.au