Eddie Whyman has returned from America with a gift for his community - hope.
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The proud Wiradjuri man has gained a firsthand look at how a treaty can change everything for First Nations people.
"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity ... We visited seven of the nine [Indian] reservations in South Dakota and tribal land councils," he said.
"I really got a better insight into how First Nations people over there conducted their business.
"They have so little, but so much of it is so beneficial for their whole community."
Mr Whyman said the tribal leaders offered "unconditional support" for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and constitutional recognition.
They would be watching the process closely.
"They said it was the first step towards bringing the country together - Aboriginal, and non-Aboriginal," he said.
"If the referendum passes, this shows just how much we can do at a grassroots level.
"Look at what they've got and what they've accomplished - their own health systems, universities, youth projects . We've tried, but there's still so much work to do."
![Eddie Whyman at Lakota sacred site Tunkasila Sakpe Paha. Picture supplied Eddie Whyman at Lakota sacred site Tunkasila Sakpe Paha. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200569959/7a5887df-c401-4fa9-838d-5d1fcdc06c24.jpg/r0_264_1079_1094_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Whyman travelled to the US on a Rotary sponsored cultural exchange.
He said the things he learnt from the tribes he visited in South Dakota were life changing and had helped him understand what his own community needed to be its best.
In his view this comes down to the right to self-govern - to make decisions as a community for the community.
The US constitution recognises tribal nations with similar status to international or state governments.
This has allowed American tribal nations to make their own laws, their own governments and make treaties with the US.
Today, nearly half of all Sioux live on self-governing reservations. Some, like Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, run their own health and education systems.
"I was fortunate enough to attend a tribal election, and that was a great experience," he said.
"Talking to leaders, and council members about how they run their reservation, how they run their council, and how they get the most out of something to benefit the community.
"They have treaties, and even though those aren't fair for them, they've really been able to make the most of it."
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