1. Australian playwright and Indigenous rights campaigner Richard Frankland
We’re not a problem people. We’re people with a problem. And that problem is invasion.
To me [a treaty is] about hope, it’s about hope of restoring a social order for us as a people, for being recognised by government, it’s the hope of being, our past being recognised, the atrocities, about economic seeds being planted here in the present and seeds of morality as well and it’s about our children’s children.
I’m not sure if we’ll get a treaty in my lifetime, but I know what we are getting done, and what we’re getting done is planting those seeds of hope, seeds of opportunity.
Richard Ackland. Source: NITV
I get goosebumps when I think about it because it actually means we get to conquer something horrible.
2. Nayuka Gorrie from the Koori Youth Council:
“If our community is strong and there's political will, a treaty can happen."
Nayuka Gorrie. Source: NITV
3. Broadcaster Stan Grant
“Out of these meetings, will long outlive our place in this earth and will flow to our children, grandchildren and their children.”
Stan Grant. Source: NITV
4. Indigenous media personality Ernie Dingo
“Reconciliation is not for Aboriginal people. Reconcile the injustices that your forefathers have done, sit down, think about it, talk about it, get it out of the way and we'll acknowledge your apology and move on. You want to bridge the gap? Try it from our angle."
5. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew
"This Treaty will be the first of its kind for our nation. It's something to be both sad and proud about, because this Treaty is well overdue. But the rest of Australia is listening and with your input, your voice, we can make history."
6. Victorian Greens MP Nina Springle
7. Indigenous broadcaster Dylan Clarke
A treaty is much different to a token Reconciliation Action Plan from the government. A treaty will embed our culture from the ground up to the sky.
8. Indigenous singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards
"Five generations of my family have been affected by forced removals."
In 30 years time my grandson will be asking me in language about how we got this treaty."
Kutcha Edwards. Source: AAP
