CONSERVING HIS CULTURE
DUBBO’S Lewis Burns doesn’t want Aboriginal culture to be forgotten and that’s why he will seek nomination at the upcoming local government elections for Dubbo Regional Council.
Mr Burns believes there’s not enough indigenous voices in council chambers and “there’s a stigma that you’ve got to be educated or elite to get in there”.
His hope to become a councillor stems from a greater need as much as personal motivation.
“I’ve thought about doing it for many years,” he said. “I think there’s a definite need.”
Mr Burns wants more Aboriginal representation in local government, as part of the decision-making process.
“If you’ve got to get into regional councils to make sure that councils follow the proper protocols, then so be it,” he said. “I believe in honesty, integrity and transparency. Money is not my motivation.
“Currently, there’s no-one there as a voice for Aboriginal people. I’m
fighting for Aboriginal people and culture and standing up as a traditional owner.”
As a Tubba-gah Wiradjuri man, Mr Burns also wants to see more cultural consultation with the local Aboriginal community.
“There’s a big Aboriginal community and there’s traditional owners. We need to be consulted on a lot of cultural aspects. At the moment, there’s not a lot of consultation on the decisions made there. I want to make sure that things are being done.”
Mr Burns believes it’s important to conserve heritage as much as possible, to ensure it is not lost for future generations.
“I have engaged with indigenous people from all over the world and in some places, the custodians of the land died out years ago. Sadly, I don’t think cultures are being conserved. “My purpose in this is saving our culture and our people. That’s what motivates me, not to let that happen to our mob in Dubbo.
“I’m the sort of person that wants to put Dubbo on the map in a good way.”