Indigenous man Marcus Stewart and Voice campaigner refused Invasion Day march trends now

Thousands of Australians gathered for Invasion Day rallies across the country on Thursday, but one prominent Indigenous activist refused to take part.

Marcus Stewart is among a rapidly rising number of Australians who view January 26 and the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 as the start of an invasion and British colonial rule. 

But the proud Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, is also a passionate supporter of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Yes campaign and told The Project this year's demonstrations were hijacked by the No side. 

'A couple of weeks ago the rally took a different direction where posters were up around it being treaty before Voice,' Mr Stewart said. 

'And it appeared to become a bit of a soft launch of a No campaign and went completely against my values.'

The contentious referendum announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shortly after winning office last year will give Australians the chance to vote on Indigenous recognition in the constitution and the establishment of an Indigenous body to consult parliament on issues that affect First Nation's people. 

With many in the Indigenous community now split on the Voice, The Project host Waleed Aly suggested the landmark referendum is already in trouble.

'It is fair to say it hasn't been a great week for the Voice Yes campaign,' he said, raising serious doubts about the upcoming vote.

'We have seen criticism from the opposition, the messages from the rallies, do you think it can succeed?' 

A steadfast Mr Stewart replied 'I do'. 

'I believe in the Australian people ... I believe that people want to improve the lives of Aboriginal people across this country.' 

Mr Albanese has tried to address widespread  fears the Voice 'is not seeking something that is 'above parliament,' amid criticism the referendum plan lacks significant details. 

'It is something that is subservient to the parliament. It will be just an advisory group. The parliament remains sovereign,' he said.

But this has not stopped criticism from politicians such as Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton who has repeatedly said the Government is not giving people enough information on what exactly the Voice would mean.  

There has also been prominent opposition to the Voice from Indigenous leaders on all sides of the political spectrum, including Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price and former Liberal candidate Warren Mundine. 

Ms Thorpe previously dismissed the Voice as a 'waste of money' that would be better spent in Indigenous communities.