A WA region with 37 per cent Indigenous population is divided by what a Voice to Parliament could mean.
Aboriginal people living in the Kimberley are torn about the proposed Voice, which has left some with reservations about whether or not it could improve the lives of people living in remote areas.
The referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is due to be held later this year.
Jaru man and environmental scientist, Donny Imberlong, was concerned the Voice would not provide the change it promised.
“They’re only an advisory body,” he said.
“It seems like there is no real power given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Voice Committee.”
Mr Imberlong said it was not the first time Indigenous people had been left out of government decisions.
“I’m definitely for trying to find some solutions but it’s just broken promises time and time again,” he said.
“It’s hard to put your heart and soul to back this Voice when it just feels like the same stuff repackaged.”
The Voice to Parliament came about after discussions at the Uluru Statement of the Heart, which took place in 2017.
Mr Imberlong said the process needed more time and consideration.
“The government operates in these grand, flashy schemes,” he said.
“Rather than taking the time, stepping back and diverting a bit more funding towards local programs that often have a better track record.
“If you’re rushing something like this through, it is a huge risk.”
He was worried it could be a long time before Aboriginal people would see tangible outcomes.
“Issues up here are going backwards quite rapidly,” he said.
“It kind of seems like a convoluted, lengthy process to nothing.”