What is Reconciliation?

The formal Reconciliation movement in Australia emerged from a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody to address Aboriginal disadvantage. In 1991, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established and in 2000 the not-for-profit organisation Reconciliation Australia was established.

According to Reconciliation Australia:

Reconciliation involves building mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and other Australians that allow us to work together to solve problems and generate success that is in everyone's best interests. 

The key benchmark for achieving reconciliation is closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and other Australian children.

   Activity

   Read the eMJA article Aboriginal health:

  • Why is reconciliation necessary?
  • How do the authors define reconciliation?
  • How do the authors explain the link between health and land?
  • What are their practical strategies for promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples and other Australians?

 

One of the key means through which the reconciliation agenda is advanced is through Reconciliation Action Plans.

Other Australian organisations premised on a reconciliation agenda include

These organisations often have reports and strategies for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

   Activity

   Choose a Reconciliation Action Plan from the list below.

   How does the Reconciliation Action Plan propose to build partnerships?
   Do you think this will be successful?