I have to say that in Australia Happy Indigenous People's Day is a bit of an oxymoron in Australia at the moment. And it doesn't really feel very happy.
In Australia we are currently going through the process of a referendum to give First Nations/Aboriginal people recognition in the Constitution. This includes a representative Voice to parliament/government which is decided by First Nations. At this point in time there is no FN's recognition in our constitution. In fact it was only in 1967 that FNP were even considered as part of the Australian population after a successful referendum.
However for what you would think should be a simple process has been turned into a sh*tshow by the Liberal (conservative) opposition to the Labor government. Peter Dutton, the opposition leader, could have presented a bipartisan front in line with the government and supported it. Instead they have been playing on political opportunism to create conflict and division.
In the meantime FNP are being used as political punching bags and is the current minority demographic that is being demonised and victimised (trans people not so long ago were the target). It has shown that we have a long way to go in terms of racist attitudes. Misinformation, lies, conspiracies and dog whistles are being shared around with no responsibility or accountability.
And as what happened with the same sex marriage vote that was held a few years ago, FNP are being made to feel like sh*t and treated like they don't even belong in this country that they inhabited before white colonisation.
I am of course voting Yes. But I am really sick of people treating like crap those who still have massive disadvantages compared to the rest of the country. Plus the colonial arrogance and superior attitudes.
Anyway for anyone who is interested here is an article that summarises about the Voice and what it means.
Everything you need to know before Australia votes on an Indigenous voice to parliament on 14 October
www.theguardian.com
