Noel Pearson wants youth vote for constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians

Activist Noel Pearson has urged Queensland’s youth to take up the fight for constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians.

Renowned Aboriginal activist Noel Pearson wants Queensland’s youth to play an important role in the fight for constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians.

In a powerful speech to hundreds of Year 12 students, Mr Pearson also praised Brisbane Boys’ College captain Mason Black for his “outrageous and exemplary courage” in delivering his own speech on sexual consent earlier this year, which ultimately went viral.

Noel Pearson with Mason Black, 18, Dinethra Epa and Shonteia Warradoo, 17, from the Lockhart River district. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Pearson drew parallels between Mr Black’s call for every person to advocate for women and stand up in the face of derogatory comments, challenging the students to think the same with regards to the recognition of Indigenous Australians.

“You all will be of voting age when the question of constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians will be out to the Australian people,” he said.

“This will require your vote.

“But more than your vote, it will require your participation in the campaign for recognition.

“It will require you to take the personal responsibility that Mason talked about.”

Clayfield College student Shonteia Warradoo said it was “really important to hear someone talk about the issues which face First Nations people”.