Reconciliation
An address by Majorie Thorpe, Member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, October 1, 2000
Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I’ll begin by acknowledging that we’re meeting on the country of the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of this land. As we always do at the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, I acknowledge the living culture of the Wurundjeri people and the unique contribution they make to the life of this region.
The Reconciliation Process
The formal reconciliation process was introduced to improve relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. It was set in train by a unanimous vote of Federal Parliament in 1991 establishing the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. The aim was to achieve concrete results by the year 2001, the centenary of Federation. Patrick Dodson chaired the first two Councils, and Dr. Evelyn Scott chairs the third and final Council. Federal Government appointed 16 members from the Indigenous community and nine from the wider community to the Council to oversee the process.
The Council's aims include promoting deeper understanding of Indigenous issues and seeking to overcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage. Our vision is "a united Australia which respects this land or ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all." But the Council is not only spreading information; it also actively seeks views, ideas and actions that promote reconciliation.
For instance, we engage in areas such as mining and business, seeking to overcome conflict and increase co-operation and understanding. Reconciliation cannot be achieved through the work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation alone. All Australians need to become involved. I hope this morning to stimulate some discussion among you of just what reconciliation is all about. I will explain what the Council has achieved in its final year and what it expects will remain for the Australian people to complete. I also hope to inspire you to find ways to advance reconciliation in your own lives and communities.
When the Council was set up, it was asked by parliament to consult the Australian people about whether a document or documents of reconciliation would advance the cause of reconciliation. Council members consulted thousands of Australians at public meetings across the country about whether a document of reconciliation would benefit the reconciliation process. The majority of Australians believed it would, so in June last year, the Council released its Draft Document for Reconciliation for public comment.
We then embarked on the most ambitious round of public consultation ever seen in Australia. Between June and December 1999, the Council held 276 public meetings, received 2 769 personal response forms and 200 public submissions about the Draft Document. There were about 70 meetings organised by the Council, and about 150 or more organised by local community groups, businesses and other sectors. The feedback from that consultation informed the Council’s final reconciliation documents (The Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation and the Roadmap for Reconciliation).
As you would know, these were launched at Corroboree 2000 on May 27 this year to the greatest ever assembly of Australia’s Indigenous and wider community leaders. The next day, more than 200,000 Australians walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of reconciliation. That weekend was the greatest indication we have had to date that Australians have embraced reconciliation.
We believe that both the Declaration and Roadmap provide a clear sense of what needs to be done to achieve reconciliation in Australia. For the next few months, the Council will seek commitments from governments, businesses, organisations, faith groups, communities and individuals to take some or all of the steps outlined in the Roadmap.
As you know, Indigenous people still have lower educational qualifications, poorer health and higher unemployment than the wider community. The Roadmap calls on local communities to make commitments to overcome Indigenous disadvantage, encourage economic disadvantage, recognise Indigenous peoples’ rights and sustain the reconciliation process. All this begins with individuals learning more about the causes and extent of disadvantage in their communities and working to eliminate racism in all its forms.
Being a reconciliation supporter is about more than talk. It is about practicing what we preach. That has been a strength of the people’s movement to date. While we have not achieved a great reduction in those levels of inequality yet, I believe reconciliation will eventually be part of the solution. With the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation ending on December 31 this year, it will truly be up to the Australian people to progress reconciliation. I believe we are up to the challenge.
I’ll conclude by discussing the relationship between faith and reconciliation. People of faith spend a lot of time focusing on relationships. Their relationship with their God, with their families, with Creation and with other people in the community. Many faith groups have also started to focus on the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. If you think about it, you will see this is a relationship that needs healing. Look at your own community.
It's quite likely there is a gap in understanding between Indigenous peoples and the wider community right there in your backyard. It's worth trying to understand what's going on underneath the surface in your community. It takes some effort, but the rewards in personal growth and the enrichment of our nation can be enormous.
People from the wider community who have already begun learning more about the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have discovered rich and different ways of seeing the world. Those privileged to be given an insight into indigenous spirituality have seen how their faith can connect with central beliefs so precious to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - their sense of belonging and their connection to land and sea. Communities that have made the effort to build bridges of understanding have forged new friendships and moved to new levels of knowledge. It's really not that hard to find common ground.
Faith and Reconciliation - What Can I Do?
If you want to get involved in reconciliation, the first step is to learn a little more about the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and about the reconciliation process. It's important to share what you know with others and to discuss issues, ideas and ways of relating. Find out what is happening in your church or faith community in relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. See what action can be taken to improve relationships. People who want to help spread the message and organise activities to promote reconciliation can form a local reconciliation group and become part of the people’s movement. If your Church doesn’t already celebrate the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation during National Reconciliation Week (May 27 to June 3) perhaps you can discuss getting involved.
I am sure you will enjoy the journey. I hope I have given you some insight into what reconciliation means and how you can get involved. People such as yourselves will be the ones to make it a reality.
Thank you.