Reconciliation

Definition – the process of understanding and restoring a relationship, especially between Indigenous peoples and the wider community Reconciliation is a community-based movement involving Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians

Achieving reconciliation involves raising awareness and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture, changing attitudes that are often based on myths and misunderstandings, and encouraging action where everyone plays their part in building a better relationship between us as fellow Australians.

Reconciliation Reconciliation in Australia is based on three main ideas: – RECOGNITION that Indigenous people are the traditional owners of the land and have a unique relationship with the physical environment – JUSTICE – Past government policies have been detrimental to Aboriginal populations eg Stolen generation leading to social problems – HEALING – improving living conditions and quality of life for all Australians, but especially the disadvantaged

Reconciliation today The Current Situation – Individuals – Groups and Organisations – Government Individuals: – High profile individuals promoting reconciliation include: – Peter Garrett (politician) – John Williamson (singer/songwriter) – Cathy Freeman (athlete) – Pat Dodson (priest) – ‘Father of Reconciliation’, wanted to bridge the gap between non Ind and Ind Australian culture. He was involved in Indigenous land rights, founding chairman fir Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and commissioner on the inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody

Reconciliation today The Current Situation Groups and organisations involved in reconciliation include: – Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) – whom organised the “Sea of Hands” campaign in support of reconciliation – Reconciliation Australia – independent, not for profit organisation that represents ideas of many Aust. People for reconciliation. It focuses on closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous children in Australia

Reconciliation today The Current Situation – Australian Government – NSW State Government has a commitment to providing access for Indigenous people to the policies, services and decision making processes within its control – The NSW government in partnership with Indigenous people has a commitment to » ensuring fair representation of Aboriginal people on decision-making bodies and » ensure policies and services are relevant and accessible to all people including Indigenous groups, and » recognise the disadvantages suffered by Aboriginal people in health and education, and work with them to makes things better. – From 1996, John Howard’s government came under pressure on the issue of reconcilaition. In 2008 the Federal government – the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised for the wrongs committed by white Australians towards the Indigenous people. – Kevin Rudd, tabled a motion in parliament apologising to Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations and their families and communities, for laws and policies which had 'inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.' The apology included a proposal for a policy commission to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in 'life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.'

Strategies for the Future Reconciliation will not be a reality until Indigenous disadvantage is improved. More progress and decision-making needs to be made in the areas of Indigenous health, education, housing, employment and land ownership. Self-determination is the right to administer one’s own community which the Aboriginal community requested in the 1980’s. This proposal has been declined up to this point in time.

Additional Notes Refer ‘History of Reconciliation’ document