I read with some concern the recent letter from Dave Horsfall titled Whose priorities should the Voice reflect? (CCN 398).
He seems clearly critical of Linda Burney saying she will “ask the Voice to consider” four main priority areas.
Linda intends to ask, not direct, the Voice.
As the responsible Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as being a descendant of the original inhabitants of this land, I am sure she will have consulted widely regarding the major issues confronting our First Nations people.
I therefore believe it is reasonable for her to point out the priorities she has identified and ask the Voice to consider them.
I have been reading an excellent book on the problems experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people due to our different cultures and language: Why Warriors lie down and Die by Richard Trudgen.
He lived amongst the Yolnu peoples in Arnhem Land for 20 years and learnt their culture customs and language.
The book gained excellent reviews from well-known media personality Ray Martin and Phillip Carson (Director of General Surgery at Royal Darwin Hospital).
Richard Trudgen clearly indicates the major issues for our First Nations Peoples are communication-related in health and education.
These are the first two of the four mentioned by Linda Burney in her Address to the Press Club.
Email, Jul 16
Graham Donald, Erina