An Aboriginal freehold land site is marked in the MacDonnell Ranges, outside of Alice Springs, Australia, September 15, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A tree stands in the MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs, Australia, September 18, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Land council worker Conrad Malcolm Ratara, 61, sits during an interview with Reuters at the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 16, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Ratara said officials needed to come to Hermannsburg to explain both sides of the debate. Ratara still intended to vote yes. Yet all he had received to date, he said, was a piece of paper about the referendum. "But I can't read," said Ratara. He said he feared the vote may be lost because many people simply don't understand it. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Retiree Patrick Oliver, 70, poses for a photo on the front porch of his home, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 15, 2023. On the porch of the house he shares with 15 relatives, Oliver told Reuters he only heard about the Voice two months earlier and wanted to know how it could help the community of about 600. "Things like the Land Rights Act, will that change with the Voice? That's something I have been wondering about," he said, referring to laws allowing Indigenous Australians to claim rights to land based on traditional occupation. Across the street, several burned-out cars lay abandoned, a monument to the town's challenges. "There are no jobs here anymore ... kids are running wild," Oliver said. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Boys watch the sunset, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, over the township of Alice Springs, Australia, September 14 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A woman holds up a 'Yes' supporting sign during the 'Walk for Yes', hosted by the Yes23 campaign for Australia's upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues, at the Todd River in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Surveys show nationwide support for the Voice declining from around 60 per cent earlier this year to around 40 per cent, with voters prioritising economic issues instead. Experts have partly attributed the slump to misinformation, along with a lacklustre "Yes" campaign and conservative opposition. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Artist Kathy Coulthard, who is Indigenous, walks onto the back porch of her home, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Polls show it is headed for likely defeat. Coulthard said the Voice would lead to "European and Indigenous Australians fighting against each other to get their say". "I am leaning more towards No now, but I am still undecided," she added. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A deflated and ripped basketball sits in the red dirt in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 18, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

People rally during the 'Walk for Yes', hosted by the Yes23 campaign Australia's upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues, at the Todd River in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Nationwide "Yes" rallies on Sept. 17 drew several hundred, mostly white, supporters to an oval next to the dry Todd River. "I see the Voice to Parliament being not only about constitutional recognition, which we rightly deserve, but also being a mechanism to get out of the mess that we are in," said Natasha McCormack, who stood atop a pickup truck and read out the Uluru Statement From the Heart to a cheering crowd. "Some people are a bit afraid of it, but as Albanese said, it's a very modest request." REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Indigenous healthcare worker Sarah Gallagher, 48, poses for a photo at a care facility, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Areyonga, Australia, September 15, 2023. More than two dozen people in the Indigenous heartland of Australia's Northern Territory revealed in interviews with Reuters last month how the Voice is struggling to connect with some of the people it is primarily designed to help. While only two were outright opposed, most cited a lack of information about the Voice within their communities and confusion about its purpose. Several said they had not heard of it. "It's a really tough question for Aboriginal people," said Sarah Gallagher, a 48-year-old Indigenous healthcare worker who was undecided. "People should come to our community and explain to us about the vote." REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Local residents Jonathan and Rosemary walk by the takeaway shop, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Hermannsburg, also known by its Indigenous name of Ntaria, Australia, September 18, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Surveys show nationwide support for the Voice declining from around 60 per cent earlier this year to around 40 per cent, with voters prioritising economic issues instead. Experts have partly attributed the slump to misinformation, along with a lacklustre "Yes" campaign and conservative opposition. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A 'Yes' sign, campaigning for Australia's upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues, is vandalised with paint as it hangs outside a school teacher's home in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 15, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Indigenous healthcare worker Sarah Gallagher, 48, poses for a photo outside a care facility, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Areyonga, Australia, September 15, 2023. More than two dozen people in the Indigenous heartland of Australia's Northern Territory revealed in interviews with Reuters last month how the Voice is struggling to connect with some of the people it is primarily designed to help. While only two were outright opposed, most cited a lack of information about the Voice within their communities and confusion about its purpose. Several said they had not heard of it. "It's a really tough question for Aboriginal people," said Sarah Gallagher, a 48-year-old Indigenous healthcare worker who was undecided. "People should come to our community and explain to us about the vote." REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Boys play as people watch the sunset over the township of Alice Springs, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Australia, September 14, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

People rally during the 'Walk for Yes', hosted by the Yes23 campaign for Australia's upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues, at the Todd River in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Surveys show nationwide support for the Voice declining from around 60 per cent earlier this year to around 40 per cent, with voters prioritising economic issues instead. Experts have partly attributed the slump to misinformation, along with a lacklustre "Yes" campaign and conservative opposition. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Writing on a car displays support for the 'Yes' vote in Australia's upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues, at a car park in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Nationwide "Yes" rallies on Sept. 17 drew several hundred, mostly white, supporters to an oval next to the dry Todd River. "I see the Voice to Parliament being not only about constitutional recognition, which we rightly deserve, but also being a mechanism to get out of the mess that we are in," said Natasha McCormack, who stood atop a pickup truck and read out the Uluru Statement From the Heart to a cheering crowd. "Some people are a bit afraid of it, but as Albanese said, it's a very modest request." REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Local residents walk up a hill overlooking the township during sunset, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Alice Springs, September 14, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Teacher Tarna Andrews poses for a photo in the local school grounds, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Areyonga, Australia, September 15, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Polls show it is headed for likely defeat. "We don't see people coming from the government, coming and talking about what we need," Andrews, who is Indigenous, said in an interview. "If I vote, is the government going to listen to me?"  REUTERS/Jaimi Joy TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Local residents Rosemary and Jonathan use the landline phone booth, as the local phone tower is out of service that day, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 18, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Surveys show nationwide support for the Voice declining from around 60 per cent earlier this year to around 40 per cent, with voters prioritising economic issues instead. Experts have partly attributed the slump to misinformation, along with a lacklustre "Yes" campaign and conservative opposition. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A eucalyptus tree stands amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs, Australia, September 15, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

An empty takeaway container lays discarded on the red dirt in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 18, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Unlike New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.8 per cent of the population. Under government policies they suffered dispossession of their homelands and forced separation of children from their parents until well into the 20th century. Many live in poverty and experience lower life expectancy, high incarceration rates and poor educational outcomes. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Artist Kathy Coulthard, who is Indigenous, poses for a photo as she sits with her rabbit Tinker at her home, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Alice Springs, Australia, September 17, 2023. On October 14, Australians will vote on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and enshrine in it an advisory body called the Voice to Parliament that would give non-binding advice to lawmakers on matters concerning the continent's first inhabitants. Polls show it is headed for likely defeat. Coulthard said the Voice would lead to "European and Indigenous Australians fighting against each other to get their say". "I am leaning more towards No now, but I am still undecided," she added. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Retiree Patrick Oliver, 70, sits on the front porch of his home, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Hermannsburg, Australia, September 15 2023. On the porch of the house he shares with 15 relatives, Oliver told Reuters he only heard about the Voice two months earlier and wanted to know how it could help the community of about 600. "Things like the Land Rights Act, will that change with the Voice? That's something I have been wondering about," he said, referring to laws allowing Indigenous Australians to claim rights to land based on traditional occupation. Across the street, several burned-out cars lay abandoned, a monument to the town's challenges. "There are no jobs here anymore ... kids are running wild," Oliver said. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy SEARCH "JOY AUSTRALIA VOTE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.