More on the Preamble (off the top of my head and for
discussion purposes only).
COVENANT OF PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN FIRST PEOPLES AND SETTLER PEOPLES.
FIRST PEOPLES VOICE
We, Australia's First Peoples (to be completed by properly
resourced consultation process with First Peoples on terms
which are culturally appropriate and according to languages,
timetables and system of priorities as determined by First
Peoples).
(Suggestion by way of a response to Settler Peoples
undertakings - see below.)
We accept the apology of Settler Peoples for past wrongs.
We accept the solemn undertaking of Settler Peoples to ensure
that the restoration of damages to our lives and living
countries is the highest priority of their healing energies.
We embrace Settler Peoples as our junior cultural partners in
life and acknowledge their need to regulate their lives within
the constraints of this covenant.
SETTLER PEOPLES VOICE
We, Australia's Settler Peoples, acknowledge and affirm the
place of Australia's First Peoples as the original peoples of
Australia.
We acknowledge, affirm and respect the covenant that exists
between First Peoples with their living countries and their
laws. We acknowledge that this covenant is not subject to the
laws of Settler Peoples without the genuine and informed
consent of the authorities of First Peoples.
We apologise for the dreadful wrongs which accompanied the
process of colonisation of Australia.
We solemnly undertake to ensure that our full resources will
be directed to ensure that the resulting damage to the lives
of First Peoples to their living countries is healed and
repaired to their satisfaction.
We embrace First Peoples as our senior cultural partners in
life and regard the maintenance of our good relationship as a
fundamental objective of Settler Peoples. To this end we
undertake to fully recognise the languages and Way(s) of First
Peoples as their cultural treasures.
We recognise the languages and Ways of First Peoples as
Australian languages and Way(s) on equal footing in official
business with those introduced from Great Britain or
elsewhere.
SUNSET CLAUSE
Review process (????)
This covenant lasts until the distinction between Australia's
First Peoples and Australia's Settler Peoples is meaningless.
Bruce
28 February 1999
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