Griffith Review 60: First Things First

Inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and featuring outstanding Indigenous writers, __First Things First__ is an urgent, nuanced and robust call to listen, hear and respond to questions of constitutional recognition. More than two centuries after European settlers arrived, the need to find an honourable way to recognise and celebrate the unique history of this country as home to the oldest living civilisation is long overdue. A Makaratta Commission is the preferred way to do this, to make agreements and enable truth-telling about our history. Are we ready to make peace and devise firmer ground for laws, policies and outcomes that improve Indigenous and non-Indigenous life in Australia? With this special edition, __Griffith Review__ excavates history and re-imagines the future, while not forgetting the urgencies of the present. Published with the support of QUT. **Julianne Schultz** AM FAHA is the founding editor of __Griffith Review__, the award-winning literary and public affairs quarterly journal. **Dr Sandra Phillips** teaches editing and publishing in Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology and her research interests are in Indigenous Storytelling and Publishing. Sandra trained with Magabala Books and University of Queensland Press and previously managed Aboriginal Studies Press. Sandra is Wakka Wakka and Gooreng Gooreng. '__First Things First__ is a crucial, staged and forceful call to listen, hear and respond to questions of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians...Here's a compilation that's diverse, stimulating and consistently finely written.' **__PS News__** 'An eclectic, thought-provoking and uniformly well-written collection.' __Australian__ 'This is commentary of a high order. The prose in unfailingly polished; the knowledge and expertise of the writers impressive.' __Sydney Morning Herald__ 'For intelligent, well-written quarterly commentary...Griffith Review remains the gold standard.' __Honest History__ After more than two hundred years of largely unresolved disputes, Australia needs to hear the voices of Australia's First Nations - and act on them. First Things First delivers strong contemporary insights from leading First Nations people, complemented by robust non-Indigenous writers. It provides a unique opportunity to share transformative information, structural challenges and personal stories, and aims to be an urgent, nuanced chorus for genuine consideration of Makarrata beyond the symbolic. With this special edition, co-edited by Julianne Schultz and Sandra Phillips, Griffith Review excavates history and re-imagines the future, while not forgetting the urgencies of the present. Contributors include: Stan Grant, Marcia Langton, Tony Birch, Melissa Lucashenko, Alexis Wright, Bruce Pascoe, Kathy Marks, Megan Davis and many more