A five-day summit designed to encourage more participation in federal politics from First Nations people, who currently hold a record 11 seats across the House of Representatives and Senate, will take place in nation's capital on Sunday.
Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney will host an official opening ceremony at Parliament House for Oxfam Australia's Straight Talk National Summit.
Political scientist and event facilitator, Michelle Deshong, a proud Kuku Yalanji woman, said Aboriginal people often face barriers to political participation.
"For too long the political system has been male-dominated and we are seeing significant shifts in female representation," she said.
"This is due to actions within political parties to set quotas but more importantly embrace affirmative action for women and Indigenous peoples. We've also had many trailblazers that have led the way for others to follow."
Establishing 'lifelong relationships'
The summit returns after a three-year hiatus and comes as Ms Burney, the first Aboriginal woman to serve as Indigenous affairs minister, takes the lead on enshrining a voice to parliament in the constitution.
Executive Lead of Oxfam's First Peoples Program and proud Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, Ngarra Murray, said the opportunity would impact the broader Indigenous community.
"The women will get the chance to sit down with parliamentarians, develop more tools to engage with the political system and establish lifelong relationships," Ms Murray said.
"Most importantly, Straight Talk supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to amplify their voices and realise their right to self-determination — ensuring that they have a seat at the table to make decisions about the things that directly affect their lives and communities."
The women attending represent different nations and language groups and range in age from 20s to 60s.
A smoking ceremony was held in the forecourt during the opening of the 47th Federal Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra last month. Source: AAP
Shaylem Wilson, 24, who runs Adelaide University's Indigenous mentoring program said she's excited to attend the summit.
"This opportunity is extremely important to me as I feel it's vital that First Nations women are given the opportunity to learn, adapt and make change through political and public engagement," she said.
"I think it's easy for our voices to be silenced and for us to not be offered a seat at the table – First Nations women are always overlooked but I feel our voices are finally being heard in this country."
