Garma Festival 2022 & Indigenous Voice Referendum

GARMA 2022
Garma is one of the biggest festivals in Australia that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. It's held right at the top of the Northern Territory at Gulkula, which is a sacred site to the Yolngu people. Over four days, thousands of people come from all over to share their stories, discuss important issues, and think about ways to bring about positive and meaningful changes.
AUSSIE REFERENDUM
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was at Garma over the weekend at the Key Forum to make a really important announcement! Australia is going to have a referendum to decide whether or not we should add a new group to federal parliament - the first nations body. He’s revealed the question at Garma that every Australian over the age of 18 will soon have to answer: Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice? That voice would be a permanent part of Aussie parliament and would let Indigenous people have a say on laws and policies that affect them. We still don't know exactly what it would look like or when the referendum will be held, but the announcement is something a lot of people have been wanting for a long time.
GARMA HISTORY
Garma started back in 1999. It's hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, which was set up by the famous band of the same name. Since then it's grown to attract people from all around the world with around 2,500 attending each year, from politicians, to business and community leaders and BTN reporters! Oh and in case you couldn't tell from all the tents - everyone camps! Over the four days we checked out the open air art gallery. There's a library and a café, cultural workshops, we Listened to some music and had a bit of a boogie, took in the stunning views and every day there is a Bungul! It's a traditional ceremonial dance that has been performed here for thousands of years, and it's a great way to bring everyone together. Calling an end to a long day of sharing, learning and celebrating!
GARMA YOUTH FORUM
Now we couldn't come to Garma and not take a peak at the Youth Forum where local kids, as well as ones who have come from around Australia, hang out. It's strictly off limits to adults, but fortunately we’re just big kids at heart! So they let us in to find out what's been going on!
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