Australia’s National Library is seeking campaign material from the Indigenous Voice referendum

The National Library of Australia is calling for the country’s citizens to donate material linked to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum held last week. Australians had to vote “Yes” or “No” in the referendum on the question of whether to alter the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people through the creation of an Indigenous advisory body (Voice to Parliament). Over 60% of Australians voted against it on 14 October. In an article in The Conversation journal, Kylie Message, a professor of public humanities at the Australian National University, says that the National Library is calling for Australians to donate letters, “how to vote” cards, posters, pamphlets, badges, stickers, T-shirts and hats.“Campaign material from all perspectives about the Voice to Parliament debate is sought, including official ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaign materials and government education materials,” she says. The library is also seeking materials from lobby groups and local events, including those produced by First Nations Australians, from rural and regional communities, and materials in languages other than English.Message says, “Museums must be open about letting the public in on the role that they play in producing history. This means thinking about whose voices they record, and how to represent dissenting opinions.” In the call out, the library stated it will “sort printed material when the referendum is over. This material will be carefully stored in protective housing. The items will then be added to the Library catalogue so people can learn about the referendum.”