Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and allies from across the country came together for a National Allyship Summit to champion continued allyship on the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart, first issued to the Australian public in 2017, represents the largest ever consensus of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on a meaningful model of reform.
A smoking ceremony was held to mark the opening of Australia's first allyship summit.
Photo credit: Mark Newsham
Since the 2023 Voice for First Nations People referendum, Allies for Uluru have continued conversations on how to collectively support and continue to progress the Uluru Statement’s core principles – Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Led by The Fred Hollows Foundation, ANTAR, and Oxfam, and backed by a coalition of over 300 member organisations, the Allies for Uluru champions action that supports the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, articulated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This year Allies for Uluru partnered with the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, University of Wollongong, to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders on the journey forward and how allies can support.
Taking place on International Allyship Day, over 400 people attended the summut in person and online to foster meaningful dialogue, build new relationships, and inspire action towards justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Walking beside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Allies for Uluru are committed to continuing the conversation and building support for implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Director of Social Justice and Regional Engagement Jaki Adams said, “The Fred Hollows Foundation’s commitment to working alongside our allies in implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart (Voice, Treaty, Truth) is unwavering. The Foundation has worked with and been guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for over 30 years, supporting their rights to sight, good health, and self-determination.
“Professor Fred Hollows exemplified allyship by speaking out against injustices and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and solutions.
“We want to stay true to Uluru. The summit has been a great chance to know that our allies are staying with us.”
For more information about the Allies for Uluru please:
Visit:
https://alliesforuluru.antar.org.au/about
Read the Uluru Statement: https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/view-the-statement/