‘Are We Mates Yet? Agreement-Making Between States and First Nations’, Dr. Tony Dreise

While this report’s primary aim is to inform agreement-making between Australian states and First Nations peoples, its analysis of colonial impacts, truth-telling, and pathways to self-determination holds wider relevance. It provides a foundation for understanding the systemic barriers to equity and offers practical strategies for embedding decolonisation into governance, policy, and community development. Key themes include:

1. Historical injustice:  

• It examines the colonial legacy of dispossession, marginalisation, and systemic inequities faced by First Nations peoples. It highlights the importance of truth-telling to confront these injustices and promote reconciliation.
• By unpacking concepts like ‘terra nullius’ and the exclusion of Indigenous peoples from foundational political structures, the report sheds light on the deep roots of inequity and offers lessons for addressing these legacies.

2. Strategies for decolonisation:

• The paper emphasises community-driven approaches, centering Indigenous voices and self-determination in decision-making processes.
• Advocates for culturally legitimate governance systems that respect Indigenous sovereignty and recognise the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
• Stresses the role of transformational leadership and capacity-building to shift power dynamics and foster equitable partnerships.