In Australia, lawmakers advanced a move to hold a historic referendum that would recognize Indigenous peoples in the Australian Constitution and establish an Indigenous “Voice to Parliament” committee. This is Thomas Mayo, Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander, a member of the referendum working group.

Thomas Mayo: “It’s not good enough that here in this country the life expectancy of Indigenous peoples is almost 10 years less than other Australians. It’s not good enough that proportionately we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. It’s not good enough that our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future. It’s time for us to have a voice.”