Stradbroke Island elders discuss next step after referendum
Indigenous leaders are looking to put the chaos and division of the referendum behind them and focus on future solutions. Indigenous affairs correspondent Carly Williams is on north Stradbroke Island and spoke to some leaders about what those next steps might be.
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00:00 In small, close-knit communities like this one, right across Australia, a difficult and
00:08 bruising debate.
00:11 Vastly different views coming to the fore.
00:14 They're not giving the people answers to what they've asked.
00:19 When is it going to stop?
00:21 I'm going on to 70 now and it's still happening today.
00:25 Distrust, disappointment and now a growing sense of determination.
00:30 We need to address that disadvantage with a loud, united, national voice.
00:35 Mindirribah Traditional Owner Dale Rusker on North Stradbroke Island believes this moment
00:40 is a chance for Indigenous Australians to look to the future.
00:44 Regardless of the division and conflict that's being caused for us, we need to find it in
00:48 ourselves to understand and realise and respect the importance of our unity.
00:54 For Traditional Owner Aunty Mary Burgess, a Goonpool elder who voted no, the referendum
00:59 has become an opportunity to spread a message of togetherness.
01:04 I felt sad for the yes vote.
01:06 I actually felt it a bit more because one family member was a yes voter and she was
01:13 very involved with the yes vote campaign on the mainland.
01:16 But I just felt for her how she felt when losing.
01:20 A resounding message from elders on the island is that Aboriginal unity is more important
01:25 than ever.
01:26 We all agree we need to close the gaps.
01:28 The task at hand now is coming together and figuring out the best way to get there.
01:33 On Yuin Country at the town of Eden on New South Wales' south coast, Elder BJ Cruz,
01:39 a yes voter, watched the results with shock last night.
01:43 When we welcome people to country.
01:45 After a welcome to country this morning, he had a message for First Nations people right
01:50 across Australia.
01:51 We can find the middle ground.
01:54 We don't have to chuck the baby out with the bath.
01:57 That means friends are welcoming.
01:58 Thank you.
01:59 A message of hope as Australia comes to terms with what last night's decision means.
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