In this weeks episode, Caroline is joined by proud Palawa woman from Nipaluna (Hobart) in Lutruwita (Tasmania) Maggie Blanden. Maggie is a graduating lawyer and community activist and passionate youth advocate in the space of Indigenous self-determination, gender and sexual violence and criminal justice reform, particularly empowering young women.

In this exceptionally candid episode, they unpack their very raw feelings and the fallout from a failed and racist referendum where almost 60 percent (9.45million) of Australians voted ‘NO’ against establishing a national Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. 

Maggie, who has just recently been nominated for an Australian Human Rights Award, for hers and other tireless efforts in providing neutral and fact based information during the referendum campaign, comes from a long line or staunch community activist and leaders, and we yarn about her great grandmother, Aunty Ida West among others members of her family.

Maggie shares her personal story, and what sparked her and others to setup Naarm Law School, using their resources, power and privilege, to inform the masses. Together they both talk about how they are processing the fallout of the referendum, and Maggie shares and reaffirms what could be next for the movement. Both unanimously agree that despite this huge setback and grief process First Nations are enduring, that First Nations people are a proud and resourceful people, who will continue to campaign and fight the good fight- ‘we might be down but we are not defeated’

To see the live referendum results which are still be counted you can visit ABC polls here. 

To find out more about Maggie, visit the link here: https://www.commonground.org.au/article/a-letter-from-maggie-blanden

Follow her on Instagram: @moogiewoogieee

Pay The Rent program is organised by First Nations and non-First Nations people working together, as the Pay The Rent Grassroots Collective. To find out more and show your support visit here: https://paytherent.net.au/

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter - https://www.13yarn.org.au/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was recorded. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

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