Australia’s Plan to Address Colonial Legacy Divides Those It Aims to Help

ALICE SPRINGS, Australia—In Australia’s vast and sparsely populated Northern Territory, the indigenous communities that make up more than a quarter of the population are divided.

Australia has long wrestled with the legacy of colonialism and how best to improve the lives of indigenous Australians—who are poorer, less healthy and less educated, and more at risk for domestic violence, suicide and incarceration than other groups. Now, the country is set to vote on a proposal to amend the constitution to recognize indigenous people and create a government advisory body, called the Voice, for indigenous issues.