Australia has rejected a constitutional proposal to recognize Indigenous people, a significant blow to reconciliation with its First Peoples.

The first referendum in 25 years asked Australians to vote “Yes” or “No” on creating an Indigenous advisory body, the “Voice to Parliament”. The “No” vote led to a nationwide majority of “Yes” votes, with ABC and other TV networks predicting a majority of voters in all six Australian states will oppose changing the 122-year-old constitution.

Academics and human rights campaigners worry that the “No” vote could delay reconciliation for years.