Australians urged to support Indigenous recognition ahead of referendum

A First Nations group leading the push for the constitutional recognition of Australia’s Indigenous people called on all citizens on Thursday to vote in favour of the change to help bring the country together.
Australia is preparing for a landmark referendum to change its constitution to include an Indigenous “Voice”, which is a representative body that can advise parliament on policies affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Islander people.
The more than 800,000 Indigenous people and their ancestors have inhabited the land for about 65,000 years. But there is no mention of them in Australia’s constitution.
Dean Parkin, director of “From the Heart”, a campaign group, said voting yes in the referendum was a chance for all Australians to connect.