Documents of Reconciliation

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Documents Brochure

What is reconciliation?

• Reconciliation is about working together to improve relations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community.
  
  
• In 1991, Federal Parliament established the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation to promote a formal process of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community.
  
  
• The Parliament noted that many Indigenous peoples were removed from their traditional lands by the British Crown and that there has been no reconciliation process so far.

Why a document?

• Parliament directed the Council to talk to as many people as possible about whether a document of reconciliation would benefit the nation and to make recommendations on the nature and content of such a document.
  
  
• Council has consulted thousands of Australians over the last eight years and found great support for a national document of reconciliation.
  
  
• The Council is working on a draft document of reconciliation to express our commitment to greater understanding and appreciation of each other.

What's it got to do with me?

• This document of reconciliation is about building a better Australia and better community relations so all Australians benefit.
  
  
• Council must report to Parliament about what should be in a document of reconciliation. To be sure it reflects the views of the Australian people, Council wants to hear your ideas about its draft.
  
  
• During the second half of 1999, Council will hold public meetings throughout Australia to hear your views and suggestions for a document of reconciliation.
  
  
• You can also express your views through a feedback sheet which will be widely distributed in the middle of the year.

Ideas for a document

Here are some things the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation thinks should be in a national document of reconciliation.

• Celebration of the diversity of peoples who make up Australia today.
  
  
• Recognition of the unique status of the first Australians and the importance of culture and land to Indigenous peoples.
  
  
• Respect for the continuing customary laws, beliefs and traditions of Indigenous peoples.
  
  
• Acknowledgement that consent was neither sought nor given at the time of colonisation.
  
  
• Acknowledgement of our history and its continuing consequences today.
  
  
• A commitment to achieve greater equity in social and economic conditions for Indigenous peoples by improving the delivery of services.
  
  
• National strategies to ensure that reconciliation is included in government policies and programs and so becomes a reality in the lives of all Australians.

What will it do?

• The document of reconciliation will recognise and respect Indigenous peoples as the first Australians.
  
  
• It will be a symbol of our nation's maturity, a sign of hope for the future, and will guide future relations between all Australians.
  
  
• It will also set out commitments and actions to make reconciliation a reality in our communities, workplaces and institutions.

What won't it do?

• The document of reconciliation may not change our lives immediately, but it could improve the future for all Australians.
  
  
• The document of reconciliation will not be the end of the reconciliation journey and it will not absolve us of further action and commitment.
  
  
• The document of reconciliation will stand on its own - it is not the same as the preamble to the Australian Constitution and will not affect the preamble.
  
  
• The document of reconciliation is not a treaty, nor will it prevent discussion of a treaty.

Further information

The draft document of reconciliation, and information about it, will be available from mid-June.

Council will hold public meetings throughout the country from July to November 1999 to hear your views about the draft document of reconciliation.

Council is also encouraging organisations to run their own meetings to discuss the draft document of reconciliation. You may find you can attend a meeting at your local organisation, church or local reconciliation group.

Information packages will be available to help groups who want to run their own meeting.

If you want more information about the draft document, public meetings or how to have your say, complete the reply-paid tear-off slip on this brochure and post it today.

For more information about the Council and its work visit the Council's website http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/orgs/car/ or complete, print out and post the 'more information' form

Council's vision

A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all.

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