Djiniyini Gondarra: Indigenous activist dubbed ‘Australia’s Gandhi’ reveals why he’s voting no in the Voice referendum
- Reverend Djiniyini Gondarra said he will vote no
- Claims Voice ‘will make no difference’ to Indigenous peoples
An Indigenous spiritual and civil rights leader says he will vote no in the Voice referendum because it “will not make a difference” to First Nation’s People.
The Reverend Djiniyini Gondarra, also known as Australia’s Mahatma’ Gandhi, is a Dhurili Nation clan leader from Elcho Island in the Northern Territory and is the current president of the Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA) and the first Aboriginal Methodist minister of the country.
He has been involved in the decades-long fight for a treaty between Aboriginal people and the Australian government and believes that anything less is a sacrifice.
“What difference will this Voice make?” Dr Gondarra he told the ABCadmitted that his opposition to the Voice is at odds with other Aboriginal people in his community.
“That’s my only concern. I will vote No for a vote.
The Reverend Djiniyini Gondarra, also known as Australia’s Mahatma’ Gandhi, is a leader of the Dhurili Nation clan from Elcho Island in the Northern Territory and is the current president of the Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA) and the first Aboriginal Methodist minister of the country
“I would rather see more dialogue, diplomatic dialogue, where we sit down and talk about one thing: that we are one (of the only Commonwealth countries) in the world that has missed a treaty.
“A negotiation with the first people who understand who owns the land.”
Dr. Gondarra does not follow a partisan political campaign or is involved in any of the referendum campaigns, instead he is committed to the idea that a treaty reckoning is inevitable.
“Our people — some of them are elected to government, or ministers to government,” he said.
“We have been with Greens, Labour, CLP or independent. We have many and they have been for many, many years.
“How many years has everyone cried?
“As the leader of my country and my church and my ceremony, I say vote is not going to make a difference.”
Dr. Gondarra (pictured) argued that voting for parliament will make no difference to the lives of indigenous peoples
The life of the spiritual and civil rights leader is explored in a new documentary, Luku Ngärra, directed by Sinem Saban (pictured left) that features Dr. Gondarra (pictured right) described as ‘Australia’s Gandhi’
At nearly 80 years old, Dr. Gondarra explored in a new documentary titled Luku Ngärra.
Director Sinem Saban compared the elder of the Dhurili Nation to Indian political and civil rights leader Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi.
“He puts people in their hearts,” Mrs. Saban told her News. com.
“He wants to unite Australia on a spiritual level and through justice for his people, but without taking anything from us (non-Indigenous Australians).”
Like Gandhi, he approaches serious injustice in a very humble and non-violent way.
“He expresses no anger against everyday non-Indigenous people and does not incite white guilt.
“Instead, he is very direct with who and what the problem is – the foreign system imposed on his people,” she added.
The documentary is intended as an educational resource, highlighting the long-term impact of white Australian law and policy on Indigenous communities (photo, stock image)
“And he has a sincere sympathy for all of humanity who are victims of systems imposed on them.”
The documentary is intended as an educational resource, detailing the long-term impact of white Australian law and policy on Indigenous communities and the changes that Dr. Gondarra’s life in Arnhem Land is highlighted.
“It’s part of the truth-telling journey that we all crave,” said the director.
“I want it to be a reminder that a treaty is very important that we need to resolve – for Dr. Gondarra means a treaty with the federal government, not the government of the Northern Territory.”