Jacinta Chaplin, Member for the North West region
Proud Wadi Wadi
For Jacinta Chaplin, the Treaty process is a moment in time that will define our future.
“The past defined where we are now. What we do next will define what we become,” she says.
Her message to non-Aboriginal people living in the state is to embrace the Treaty process and to seek out the truth of the lived experiences of the Aboriginal Community as well as the mainstream version of history.
“We are all living in this modern world together. Let’s not forget how we got here, show respect to the past and acknowledge each other’s history,” she says.
“So much has been taken out of our control, the damage has been done. Now we are responsible for what is passed on to the next leaders.”
Ms Chaplin says she stood for the Assembly because she believes in its work of advancing the Treaty process, which will help protect Aboriginal culture.
“I believe in the aspiration of the Assembly and I am passionate about Community having voices,” she says.
“We can create unity amongst ourselves. We as a people are the only ones that can pass on our customs and practices and demand the government respect our ways as we are still here.”
She says the Assembly has made positive progress in the short time since it was elected.
“I believe we have some solid structures in place and we will see the effects starting to roll out,” she explains. “I look forward to the Community working together.”
Ms Chaplin says the Treaty process is an opportunity to help protect the traditions and customs of Aboriginal people after a troubled existence since colonisation.
“This is our time to keep our culture strong and to lead the ways to continue our practices and to support the new leaders to care for Country and keep our traditions alive into the future.”
