Decolonisation at FUSA: A Conversation Far From Over Editors’ Note: We would like to acknowledge the sensitive nature of the issue discussed within this piece. We acknowledge the diversity of opinions surrounding the topics within, and our positions as participants in the 2021 Student Elections, as non-First Nations People, and as editors paid by FUSA. Over the past few years, issues regarding First Nations Peoples and decolonisation processes have been at the forefront of student elections at Flinders, but it is important we acknowledge that these conversations remain once the ballot boxes have closed. Decolonisation refers to restorative justice for First Nations Peoples through cultural, social and economic freedom and self-determination. Discussions on how these principles can be adopted by FUSA and the Student Council have been on-going, and it is worth examining how well such principles have materially manifested. While in recent years, efforts have been underway to provide appropriate maps, flags and dual signage on campus, and with the title of First Nations Officer also recently being adopted in place of ‘Indigenous Students Officer’, there have also been considerable blunders.
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In 2019, the First Nations Officer position became vacant, leaving the First Nations community on campus without an appropriate representative for almost six months. Upon becoming vacant, a panel was formed to select a new representative for the role. The initial plans for this panel left it void of First Nations representation, until the issue was raised by a candidate. Following this, a FUSA staff member raised these concerns with the Student Council. In the Student Council meeting immediately following this recommendation, a motion was moved to limit staff interference in such matters. While the panel eventually provided appropriate representation, there is currently still no requirement for such representation on casual vacancy panels - despite there being other representational requirements. In 2020, the position of allyship officer (intended for a non-first nations student) was advertised for the First Nations Student Collective’s AGM. This was allegedly done without consultation with the Flinders Indigenous Students Association, who condemned the decision, lodging a formal complaint. Subsequently, the Union of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association expressed their
