Nikki Britton Instagram – In 2016 I spent a few months working in community- Maningrida, Papunya, Nhulunbuy, Gunbulunya, Gove, Tiwi and all across Arrernte and Larrakia country. I had a job working in paediatric clinics and I wanted to help. I had the best of intentions. One day a community elder walked up the red dirt road to the clinic with her disabled teenage grandson on her back. It must have been 42 degrees (celcius). I leapt to offer them assistance, and water, and assured them the doctor would be with them soon. I asked if there was anything I could do to make them more comfortable. This incredible woman, who was literally carrying her community on her shoulders, smiled with grace, gratitude and a lot of humour and said, ‘could you warm it up in here? You got the AC set to ‘white people’” I giggled, embarrassed. Floored. I didn’t realise what I didn’t know. I couldn’t understand the world through her lens. And because of that, despite my best intentions, I could never have offered her what she needed unless she had clearly advised me. I met the most amazing people in those few months. I also saw how the system is letting so many people down. From the bottom of my heart, I know that voting yes is the right thing to do in this referendum. So everyone can keep learning and listening. So teeny tiny footprints like these have the best chance to walk through a world where their voices are heard and they know that they matter.
@yes23au @f_yes23 #voteyes #ifyoudontknowfindout | Posted on 12/Oct/2023 17:32:01
