The Voice: Over 100 million indigenous people from India and Nepal support a timely YES

Indigenous people from South Asia have said that they stand in solidarity with their indigenous brothers and sisters in Australia.

In letters sent to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and key Cabinet Ministers, representatives and advocates of  more than 130 million indigenous Adivasi people in India and Nepal have assured of full co-operation and generous support for the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum.

Letters delivered by their Peak Bodies representing Indigenous people in India and Nepal constitute 25% of the world’s 480 million Indigenous people. There are

1. At least 120 million Indigenous Adivasi people in India. (Tribal Coordination Front, India)
2. At least 8.5 million Adivasi Janajati people in Nepal. (Asian Indigenous International Network).

Authentic origins

India’s Adivasi indigenous origins on country, are scientifically proven to have existed for at least 11,000 years, with at least 744 nations. Each has distinctive culture, language and lore, stories, dances and signs.

Nepalese Adivasi origins date at least 4,500 years, with about 65 nations.

Both communities recognise, appreciate and endorse, the widely-canvassed humanitarian proposals, giving Australia’s indigenous people the opportunity to create the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Adivasis acknowledge the unique place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people own as first inhabitants with an ongoing connection to land. Indigenous individuals, organisations and communities, have for centuries sought to rectify ongoing generational injustices and structural inequalities.

Adivasi People

1. Admire Australian people’s resilient, unrelentingly stoic efforts in reaching this historic stage, which support potential new beginnings. They watch and appreciate the coming together of Government and First Nations after struggle, in the prescribed form of a Makarrata Commission. Truths can be shared openly, to achieve reconciliation based on joint visions of respect, sustainable futures, community needs, interests and consensus.
2. Note contributions of non-indigenous citizens and organisations, political parties, free-thinking politicians, universities, academics, legal profession, Australia’s largely free press and dynamic NGO community, among others. It’s a power brought to relevance through Australia’s Yes campaign.
3. Express gratitude for Labor Party initiatives, taken in recognition and inclusion of indigenous peoples in all spheres of Australian life.

Global reach

Adivasis recognise Australian achievements and ongoing commitment, as an independent sovereign nation, ratifying and implementing relevant United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 and ILO Convention 169 of 1989.

Increasing visibility, developing rights and welfare of indigenous people internationally, demonstrates to Adivasis that Australians have the political will and take social responsibility for First Nation affairs.

Adivasis watch how the positive impact of Australia’s innovative, constitutional and political adjustment, encourages South East Asian countries. Here, 0ver 180 million Indigenous people struggle to retain traditional Indigenous identities. Add the 125 million Indigenous people living in China and we can see Australia’s importance in regional Indigenous affairs!

Adivasi people realise building an understanding of how constitutional recognition and Voice delivery, offers lasting social change. Australia will cement its place as a global multi-cultural leader, improving outcomes for indigenous people within creative methodology.

Potential opportunities

Following a positive Yes Vote, Australia can facilitate grass-roots-people, through Exchange Programs based on indigenous people’s ways of life, vision and approach.  The opening initiative could readily develop south-east-Asian and Australian Indigenous people.

Adivasi people sense cooperation is immediately possible within; indigenous knowledge, education, intellectual research, culture, arts, sports, games. Also, agriculture, animal husbandry, tribal herbal medicine, biodiversity and climate action. Social benefits will be discovered and shared together with stable commerce and trade.

Adivasi people of India and Nepal, wish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People every success in  their Yes Vote initiative. They assure them and all Australians, of their co-operation, solidarity and commitment to building consensus, across Mother Earth’s continents.

VOICE India Adivasi support Nicholas Barla (sent 18.9.23)

VOICE Nepal Adivasi support Phoolman Choudhary (sent 11.11.23)