With the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum less than a month away, descendants of the survivors of one of Western Australia's bloodiest massacres are weighing up how they will vote. Noongar people connected to the Pinjarra massacre say they're undecided about the Voice, but there are hopes it could help with truth telling about historical wrongdoings.
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00:00 On the banks of the Murray River, Cheryl Martin stands where dozens of her ancestors were killed,
00:07 but she doesn't feel anger or fear.
00:10 I just feel peace in this beautiful place.
00:13 It's the site of the Pinjarra Massacre, where colonists, led by Governor James Stirling,
00:18 attacked and killed local Bindjerup Noongar people in 1834.
00:23 Miss Martin is a descendant of the survivors.
00:26 Somehow they flipped through the nets and ran that way.
00:29 The official death toll shows at least 15 Noongar people and one colonist were killed,
00:34 but Miss Martin says the true figure is much higher.
00:38 We tell the truth and we pass down the truth from generation to generation.
00:44 If the voice referendum is supported with a majority yes vote,
00:47 Cheryl Martin hopes it would be an opportunity for healing and truth-telling about past injustices.
00:53 If we're going to have a voice where truth-telling is, I think it's a good thing.
01:00 But opinions on the voice to parliament are mixed within Miss Martin's extended family.
01:05 Her uncle Clary is planning to vote no.
01:08 It might make a difference to other people, but to some people it's not going to make a difference.
01:15 No, I'm still stuck in the middle. I don't know which way to go.
01:22 Miss Martin is also weighing up her vote and says if the voice to parliament goes ahead,
01:27 it should help fix local issues such as unmarked Aboriginal graves in the local cemetery.
01:32 The voice, is it going to reach our group? Is it going to speak for us?
01:38 These are the concerns I have.
01:41 The group says they're still seeking information about the voice referendum.
01:45 [BLANK_AUDIO]