Inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and featuring outstanding Indigenous writers, First Things First is an urgent, nuanced and robust call to listen, hear and respond to questions of constitutional recognition.

More than two centuries after European settlers arrived, the need to find an honourable way to recognise and celebrate the unique history of this country as home to the oldest living civilisation is long overdue. A Makaratta Commission is the preferred way to do this, to make agreements and enable truth-telling about our history.

Are we ready to make peace and devise firmer ground for laws, policies and outcomes that improve Indigenous and non-Indigenous life in Australia?

With this special edition, Griffith Review excavates history and re-imagines the future, while not forgetting the urgencies of the present.

Published with the support of QUT.

Julianne Schultz AM FAHA is the founding editor of Griffith Review, the award-winning literary and public affairs quarterly journal.

Dr Sandra Phillips teaches editing and publishing in Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology and her research interests are in Indigenous Storytelling and Publishing. Sandra trained with Magabala Books and University of Queensland Press and previously managed Aboriginal Studies Press. Sandra is Wakka Wakka and Gooreng Gooreng.

'First Things First is a crucial, staged and forceful call to listen, hear and respond to questions of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians...Here's a compilation that's diverse, stimulating and consistently finely written.' PS News

'An eclectic, thought-provoking and uniformly well-written collection.' Australian

'This is commentary of a high order. The prose in unfailingly polished; the knowledge and expertise of the writers impressive.' Sydney Morning Herald

'For intelligent, well-written quarterly commentary...Griffith Review remains the gold standard.' Honest History