It’s Time for True Constitutional Recognition

A keynote address by Noel Pearson

Renowned Aboriginal activist and community leader Noel Pearson passionately argued for constitutional recognition and a First Nations Voice to parliament in the inaugural Australia Speaks address at the National Museum of Australia.

It's Time for True Constitutional Recognition was delivered at the Museum on 17 March 2021.

Since it opened its doors in 2001, the Museum has provided a forum for public discussion and debate about issues at the heart of Australian society and culture.

Australia Speaks is a series of talks by eminent Australians exploring matters of national meaning and significance. It offers Australian audiences an opportunity to engage with big, bold ideas about the future of our country.

Sample pages

Sample page from a book with an image of a woman speaking at a lectern, left, and text at right that starts: 'Jude Barlow. Yuma, which is hello in Ngunnawal and is the Ngunnawal people's gift to you all'. The text outlines Jude's family history. - click to view larger image

Sample page from a book with an image of a man speaking at a lectern, at left, and text that reads: 'Aunty Jude, I want to thank you for your very warm, very heartfelt welcome. I pay my respects to you and your elders past and present, and I bring greetings from my people, the Quandamooka people from Mingerribah,or North Stradbroke Island, as you may know it, just off the coast of Brisbane.' - click to view larger image

Sample page of a book with an image of a man speaking at a lectern with text that reads 'Noel Pearson: I pay respect to the Ngunnawal First Nation of this city. I bring greetings from First Nations of Cape York. Thank you to the Council of the National Museum and thank you all for your presence today.' - click to view larger image

Sample page from a book showing the side view of a woman standing behind a microphone, with text that reads

A statement titled “ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART”, surrounded by many signatures, and mounted on a colourful dot painting. - click to view larger image — The Uluru Statement from the Heart, with signatures of those who attended the National Convention

Publication details

ISBN 978 1 921953 44 6
Paperback, 52 pages, 167 x 234 mm (portrait), full colour
National Museum of Australia Press, 2021

Noel Pearson

Endeavour Voyage book

What the Colonists Never Knew

Daily, free First Australians

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