Hello, my name is Eddie Solien. In the intricate tapestry of my life, there are threads that are vividly coloured by my identity, health, and the history of the land I call home. As a person living with severe heart conditions like heart failure with left ventricle dysfunction and atrial fibrillation, coupled with Auto Immune Pancreatitis and Type 2 Diabetes, every day is a testimony to resilience. But beyond the personal health battles, my identity as a member of the LGBTIQA+ community and my heritage as a Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean immerse me in a deeper narrative – one that involves living in Australia, a country where the sovereignty of its First Peoples was never ceded.

Australia, a land of stunning natural beauty and diverse cultures, also bears a history that is often untold or glossed over. It's a history marked by colonisation, where the rights and existence of First Nations people were, and in many aspects continue to be, overshadowed by the pursuit of building a new nation. This pursuit, tragically, involved strategies and actions that led to the immeasurable loss of lives and cultures – a dark phase aimed at eradicating an entire race.

Living in Australia, with this acute awareness of our unceded sovereignty, is a complex experience. It's about walking on land that carries the weight of unsung histories, of cultures that thrived long before colonisers set foot here. It's about recognising that the society we live in today, often praised for its diversity and progress, was built on foundations where equity was non-existent for its original inhabitants.

The history of First Nations peoples is not just a tale of dispossession and pain; it's also a story of unyielding resilience and survival against incredible odds. It's about communities that have withstood the impact of policies and actions meant to erase their existence. This resilience is not just part of my heritage; it resonates deeply with my personal journey of battling severe health conditions. In both narratives, there's a common thread of fighting against the odds, of striving to survive and thrive in environments that are not always conducive to our wellbeing.

As I navigate my daily life, I am constantly reminded of the broader struggle for equity and recognition in a society that is still coming to terms with its past. The fight for First Nations peoples rights in Australia is far from over. It's a continuous journey of seeking justice, restoring what was lost, and most importantly, ensuring that the voices and stories of First Nations peoples are heard and valued.

Living in Australia as someone who identifies with its First Peoples is to live a life of duality. It's to embrace the beauty and opportunities this land offers while also being acutely aware of its painful history. It's about celebrating the survival and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equity and recognition.

As I look to the future, I am filled with a sense of hope and determination. Hope that Australia will continue to grow in its understanding and appreciation of its First Nations heritage. Determination to contribute to this growth, to ensure that the story of Australia's First Peoples is not just a chapter in history books but a living, thriving part of our national identity.

In sharing my story, I invite others to reflect on their own place in this narrative. To understand that while we cannot change the past, we can all play a role in shaping a future where equity, respect, and recognition are not just ideals but realities for all Australians. My name is Eddie Solien, and this is my perspective on living in a country where sovereignty was never ceded – a perspective shaped by my heritage, my health, and my hope for a better tomorrow.