Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation



DRAFT
Document for Reconciliation
A Draft for discussion by the Australian people

Draft Declaration for Reconciliation
National Strategies to Advance Reconciliation
Have Your Say on the Draft Document for Reconciliation

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DRAFT

Declaration for Reconciliation

Speaking with one voice, we the people of Australia, of many origins as we are, make a commitment to go on together recognising the gift of one another's presence.

We value the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original owners and custodians of traditional lands and waters.

We respect and recognise continuing customary laws, beliefs and traditions.

And through the land and its first peoples, we may taste this spirituality and rejoice in its grandeur.

We acknowledge this land was colonised without the consent of the original inhabitants.

Our nation must have the courage to own the truth, to heal the wounds of its past so that we can move on together at peace with ourselves.

And so we take this step: as one part of the nation expresses its sorrow and profoundly regrets the injustices of the past, so the other part accepts the apology and forgives.

Our new journey then begins. We must learn our shared history, walk together and grow together to enrich our understanding.

We desire a future where all Australians enjoy equal rights and share opportunities and responsibilities according to their aspirations.

And so, we pledge ourselves to stop injustice, address disadvantage and respect the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to determine their own destinies.

Therefore, we stand proud as a united Australia that respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and provides justice and equity for all.

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National Strategies to Advance Reconciliation

The following National Strategies to Advance Reconciliation are based on Council's Draft Declaration for Reconciliation. The developed strategies will map out the steps we must take as we work together towards a reconciled nation. By supporting these strategies, governments, businesses, organisations and individuals from both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community can make practical commitments to reconciliation. Partnerships between all sectors of our community are the best way to ensure that the Draft Declaration for Reconciliation becomes a reality in people's lives.

A National Strategy for Economic Independence will facilitate greater economic independence and self-reliance in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It seeks to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and promote their human dignity. This strategy recognises that economic empowerment will not occur through welfare programmes. The strategy will achieve its greatest success when it is built on partnerships between all sectors. This strategy would include:

  • better access to capital, business planning advice and assistance;
  • increased networking and mentoring opportunities;
  • better access to training and development opportunities;
  • promotion and encouragement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small business;
  • greater strategic and integrated regional economic development plans;
  • fostering partnerships with the business community; and
  • reform of current government economic and funding programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A National Strategy to Address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disadvantage aims for better outcomes in health, education, employment, housing, law and justice. Its objective is to achieve social and economic conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which are the same as those enjoyed by other Australians. This strategy will get better outcomes from government and non-government services. It builds on the National Strategy for Economic Independence.

Reconciliation requires practical and real steps to target the disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a result of past injustices. Statistics show that they are the poorest, unhealthiest, least employed, worst housed and most imprisoned Australians.

This strategy will be based on partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, governments, the business sector and service organisations. It will set out mechanisms to measure progress and report publicly.

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A National Strategy to Promote Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights will be based on the principles that all Australians should share equal rights and responsibilities as citizens; should be able to participate, as they choose, in all levels of decision-making on matters which affect them and their communities; and should enjoy equal social and economic conditions, according to their aspirations.

The strategy will recognise the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original custodians of Australia, their continuing cultures and heritage, and their rights under the common law. It will recognise the unique relationships of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their traditional lands and waters and the importance of traditional land management knowledge in sustaining the natural environment. The strategy will also recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' continuing aspirations for greater recognition and self-determination within the framework of the Australian Constitution, and will propose strategies for increased representation in Australian parliaments.

A National Strategy to Sustain the Reconciliation Process will build on the existing peoples' movement for reconciliation. It will promote knowledge and understanding of the history of Australia's colonisation and will assist Australia to celebrate the diversity of the origin of its peoples. It will acknowledge the cultural, social and economic contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the nation. The strategy will describe how governments at all levels, organisations and community groups can recognise and adopt appropriate protocols, as well as establish symbols of reconciliation that reflect our shared history and culture.

The strategy will propose the establishment of a reconciliation foundation to provide leadership for reconciliation, monitor progress, and support the many groups which currently contribute to the reconciliation process, including State and Territory Reconciliation Committees and local reconciliation groups. The strategy will also seek recognition and protection of the Declaration of Reconciliation in the Constitutions of the Commonwealth, States and Territories.

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Have your say on the Draft Document for Reconciliation

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation has released this Draft Document for Reconciliation for public discussion by all Australians over the latter half of 1999.

The Council is organising nation-wide consultation meetings and is also encouraging people to organise their own discussions and send their views back to the Council.

The Council is convening a major national event in May 2000 at which it will launch its final proposals for a Document for Reconciliation based on the feedback it receives from the Australian people.

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