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60,000+ years	Colonisation	Protection	Assimilation	Integration	Reconcilitation

Reconciliation (1991 to the present)

Australian Parliament apologises

The Australian Parliament made an apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples on 13 February 2008. The text of motion moved by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is here

The Aboriginal Reconciliation movement

The movement for Aboriginal reconciliation aims to promote understanding of the history of contact between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and develop better relations for the future.
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Reconciliation Information Sheet 1: Building New Relationships, 1998.

Les talks about reconcilitation in the Upper Hunter:

Reconciliation on a National level

The final recommendation of the Royal Commission into the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was a formal process of reconciliation between Indigenous and other Australians.

In response the Commonwealth Government established the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established in 1991 with the unanimous support of the Parliament. The Councils charter was to raise public awareness and consult on a ‘Document of Reconciliation’ within a 10 year legislated period.
[**=NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Fact Sheets, 2006)

The Council’s widespread consultation identified the need and support for Documents of Reconciliation: the Declaration of Reconciliation, embodying the symbolic and inspirational aspects of reconciliation and the Roadmap for Reconciliation containing four national strategies to advance the economic and social factors underpinning reconciliation. **

Various significant events mark the work of the Council. The Council staged Corroboree 2000 where the Governor General and assembled parliamentary leaders of Australia were presented the Documents for Reconciliation. The next day over 300,000 people participated in a People’s Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In the months following, reconciliation walks were held in state capitals and in smaller regional and rural towns. **

The Council’s final report, Reconciliation: Australia’s Challenge, recommended comprehensive action to address the ‘unfinished business’ of reconciliation. This included calls for a formal agreement or treaty as well as the establishment of a foundation to continue the Council’s work.

A new independent, not for profit body, Reconciliation Australia was formed to provide a continuing national focus on reconciliation, to report on progress to the Australian community, to circulate information, to encourage partnerships and to provide forums and discussion. **

Since 1996, the focus of the federal Coalition Government led by John Howard has been on ‘practical measures’ to overcome disadvantage and improve the lives of Indigenous people in areas like health, education, employment and housing.

Progress on Reconciliation by Local Government

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the national representative body for Australia’s 698 local authorities. It is constituted as a federation of local government associations in the six States, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. ALGA made commitments to reconciliation and native title in its National Agenda for Australian Local Government of October 2001. To obtain further information about these commitments and Councils who have made national statement of commitment link to http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/sjreport_01/append2.html#pro

Les talks about reconciliation initiatives in the Upper Hunter.

Reconciliation in NSW

The NSW Parliament was the first parliament to apologise on behalf of the people of NSW to Aboriginal people for past government practices as well as provide funding for its state reconciliation body to ensure the reconciliation process continued at a local community and state level. NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Two Ways Together is the NSW Government’s 10 year plan (2003-2012) to improve the lives of Aboriginal people and their communities. The plan is a partnership model between all government agencies working together to co ordinate services to Aboriginal communities and is administered by NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Final policy

The NSW Reconciliation Council is the peak body representing reconciliation in NSW. The Council advises the NSW Government and works with many organisations on reconciliation issues in NSW. It represents over 55 local reconciliation groups across the state.

Some examples of reconciliation in action at the state and local level are:

Statements of Reconciliation
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Australian National University

Bundyari Ngalaya – First People’s Business Partnership
This is an initiative of the NSW Government and the NSW Reconciliation Council to promote alliances between Australian business and Aboriginal people and facilitate Aboriginal economic development.
Muswellbrook Shire Council Document for Reconciliation

In 2001 representatives from the Aboriginal Community and the Mayor signed a Statement of Principle outlining the Councils commitment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of their area.
The Document was signed in the presence of the then Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs the Hon Dr A Refshauge.

Following the ceremony the participants all placed their painted hand upon on eof the panels of the Reconciliation Mural in support of reconciliation in the community.

Aboriginal Dancer - Robert Willets, Member for Upper Hunter – George Souris, Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs - Dr. Andrew Refshauge And Aboriginal Dancer – Giles place their hands on the Reconciliation Mural at a celebration to adopt Muswellbrook Shire Council Document

Useful links

Readings
Upper Hunter

Throughout the website the Upper Hunter region, residents, organisations and Muswellbrook Shire Council have been used to provide examples and personal connections to assist users to see the relevance of the information in a local setting. Every area will have their own version of these stories and discovering them will better place you to provide services to your own community.

Reading 5 : Aboriginal community member
Reading 6 : CEO of Aboriginal organisation
Reading 11I No Time like the Present: A personal note from Deirdre Heitmeyer
Reading 11J Muswellbrook Shire Council document for Reconciliation Statement of Principle
Reading 11K The Mural by George Anderson

Organisations

Reconciliation Australia
NSW Reconciliation Council
Australia for Native Tile and Reconciliation