Finding the Heart of the Nation 2nd edition: The Journey of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Continues

by Thomas Mayo, Thomas Mayor

In this updated edition of the bestselling book, Finding the Heart of the Nation , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander author Thomas Mayo gets behind the politics and legal speak to explain why the Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to all Australians.
 
Australia is set to vote on a referendum to enshrine a First Nations voice in the constitution as a result of the 2022 federal election. In this book, Thomas focuses on the stories of First Nations People, including some new voices, looking at the truth of our past and present, and hopes for a better future. Importantly, he shares with you – the Australian public – how we all have the power to make change. The campaign for Voice Treaty Truth, starting with a referendum, is an opportunity to right some of the wrongs, give First Nations People a seat at the table, and to recognise that we are a nation with over 60,000 years of continuous culture.

Completing his writing just after the 2022 federal election, Thomas has included a new introduction and conclusion, as well as a call to action for all Australians. Now in a paperback format, this collection of stories offers hope and tells us how we, as Australians, may find our collective heart.

Genres: Politics, Australia, Nonfiction, Indigenous

Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2022

About the author

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network and a director on the Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition board. Thomas is the author of six books, including the bestselling The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All The Details You Need with eminent journalist Kerry O’Brien (Hardie Grant, 2023).

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need to get your head around the Uluru Statement and Voice to Parliament, read this book.

[Hutch Hussein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read it! Everyone in Australia should read it! So educational and enlightening and reinforces the process leading up to Voice referendum.

[Titch Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that uses the stories of a variety of individual people to highlight the disparity in all socioeconomic indicators between first nation Australians and the rest of the country. A compelling argument for a First Nation's advocate in Parliament, though at times difficult to follow.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative for me to read and get a better understanding on the Uluru Statement, as well as what Treaty actually means from many different first nation peoples perspectives.

It was affecting to read this after the failed referendum - but as Thomas Mayor and others in the book rightly say, this makes the message in the book all the more important.

Five out of five

[Maximilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish more Australians read this book before voting in the VOICE referendum.