What you need to know about reconciliation

Definition: What is reconciliation?

In its broadest sense ‘reconciliation’ means ‘coming together’.

In Australia, ‘reconciliation’ refers to bringing together Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians.

Reconciliation is not something that one decides to ‘do’ – it is a process, at the end of which there may be reconciliation, but this can never be guaranteed.

Reconciliation has elements of truth, justice, forgiveness, healing, reparation, and love.

Supporting reconciliation means working to overcome the division (often called “the gap”) and inequality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Differences are biggest in health, income, living standards and life expectancy, but also prejudice and racism.

The river is the river and the sea is the sea. Salt water and fresh, two separate domains. Each has its own complex patterns, origins, stories. Even though they come together they will always exist in their own right. Our hope for Reconciliation is like that.—Patrick Dodson [2]

When did the reconciliation process start in Australia?

The process of Reconciliation formally began as a result of the Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.

The government formed the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, setting a 10 year timeframe to advance a national process of reconciliation.

Among the Council’s tasks was to address Aboriginal disadvantage and aspirations in employment, health infrastructure and economic development.

It identified 8 key issues in the reconciliation process:

• Understanding country
• Improving relationships
• Valuing cultures
• Sharing history
• Addressing disadvantage
• Custody levels
• Destiny (Aboriginal people controlling their own destiny)
• Formal documentation of the process

The Council’s formation was an acknowledgment of the past and ongoing failure of government policy to recognise and address the cultural, social and economic needs of Aboriginal Australians. It was also recognition that progress also required a sea change in the understanding and involvement of non-Aboriginal Australians.

While the reconciliation process has successfully motivated and moved thousands of ordinary people, court decisions, laws and political developments made the reconciliation process much harder.

Why should we reconcile?

Reconciliation can only be viewed on a case-by-case basis. There is no definitive process that is foolproof and universal.

Reconciliation is often an arduous, painful, and thankless affair, as people attempt to stare down haunting memories of atrocities past to overcome them [1].

It is a bottom-up process that occurs one person at a time, but that also requires support from official institutions and strong leaders.

History teaches us that the need for reconciliation is self-evident. We must care for one another and try to understand one another, or we are doomed to fail.

You find evidence in the two world wars. After World War II the Marshall Plan assured that the defeated countries’ people were looked after—contrary to World War I where they were humiliated and destroyed.

Reconciling with former enemies helps avoid feelings of revenge, anger and hatred. It is the only way to assure lasting peace and stability.

In that sense it is desirable to reconcile the former enemies of the Australian wars, the European invaders and Aboriginal people, to improve their relationship for a common future.

Australians are hungry to learn more about their own [Aboriginal] people… It's cool to see that people want healing.—Warwick Thornton, Aboriginal director [3]

Aboriginal elder: “We do not accept reconciliation”

Aboriginal elder Wadjularbinna Nullyarimma, a supporter of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, talks about reconciliation and Reconciliation Place in Canberra [5].

How does this point of view compare to other sources you have read? Which topics of Aboriginal politics are important to Aunty Wadjularbinna?

“The Federal government opposes everything the platform of the Tent Embassy stands for and constantly tries to remove us. Less than 100 metres away they [have built] Reconciliation Place to fool Australians and the rest of the world into believing that we accept reconciliation. But we do not.

Reconciliation Place even goes against our spiritual and religious beliefs because, in our culture, we do not worship monuments or idols. It is for the benefit the Commonwealth government as a propaganda exercise and a money-making venture from tourism at our expense.

The government is trying to conceal what they are doing to us—stealing our lands, harming our people and destroying our culture.

There can be no reconciliation without justice. When all of these issues are dealt with, reconciliation will happen automatically and they will not have to build monuments to prove reconciliation.

Reconciliation Place is about creating a ‘warm and fuzzy’ feeling for the government and Australians in general. It is not recognition of our grief and pain. It can never heal our pain, suffering and trauma, but, instead, will be a constant reminder of the evil acts of the colonists, who we believe are the Masters of Terrorism, oppressing many Peoples around the world.”

A carved sandstone at Reconciliation Place, Canberra. Aboriginal people's view about reconciliation can be vastly different to that of non-Aboriginal people and the government.

Put simply, reconciliation hasn’t worked in Australia because as a nation, we continue to refuse to face up to our real past.—Sol Bellear, chairman of the Aboriginal Medical Service, Redfern [8]

How can I start thinking ‘reconciliation’?

Reconciliation has both symbolic and practical elements. A spirit of goodwill, mutual respect and recognition of the effects of colonisation on Aboriginal people are the symbolic cornerstones of the reconciliation effort.

On the practical side, working towards an improved quality of life for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly in areas such as health, education and employment, is essential for achieving equality for all Australians.

To reconcile with Aboriginal people it is important to acknowledge the following:

• Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are the traditional owners of Australia.
• Aboriginal cultures have unique relationships to the land, sea and waterways.
• Some past government policies that applied to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders have led to present-day social problems for Aboriginal communities.
• Recognition of past injustices is essential in building a better future.
• There is no place for racism or discrimination in Australia.

Read what you can do to learn about and support Aboriginal culture.

How can you have reconciliation if you don't kow the other person's culture? That's the first step: to learn it.—Evan Yanna Muru, Aboriginal tour guide [4]

Reconciliation: Facts & achievements

Some of the things the reconciliation movement has achieved include:

• Appointment of Council’s first Aboriginal Liaison Officer - 1997.
• Many companies and government departments have introduced Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs, see below).
• Development and implementation of NAIDOC Week Planning Committee activities since 1998.
• The official saying of Sorry by the Council to the Aboriginal Community 22 June 1999.
• The carrying of the Olympic Torch by Aboriginal Elder and Boxer, William Morris 2000.
• Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008.
• Roads and Traffic Authority Learner Program for Aboriginal drivers.
• Deadly Awards (Sydney).
• NAIDOC celebrations.
• Campaign for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal Australians (started in 2012).

Racism, denial of rights, and a lack of willingness to come to terms with our history continue to overshadow the nation’s progress towards reconciliation.—The State of Reconciliation in Australia report, 2016 [9]

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?

On 25 July 2006 Reconciliation Australia launched their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program. Its main aim is to help organisations close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians with measurable and accountable actions.

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) provide a framework to directly improve relationships and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

RAPs must be developed in consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders and be measurable, action-oriented and publicly accountable. They may include small initial steps or decisions for major changes.

The most inspiring RAPs come from companies that have thought about what reconciliation means to them and how their organisation can make a unique and lasting difference.

Some bigger ideas for what you can include in your RAP:

• Provide cultural awareness training. Encourage all staff to take a keen interest in learning about and celebrating Aboriginal traditional and modern culture. You can have Aboriginal elders speak, distribute fact sheets among staff, or spread the good news about Aboriginal Australia (media already covers the bad news).
• Create jobs for Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people need jobs in corporate Australia, small and large businesses and across all levels of government, and not just in roles dealing with Aboriginal issues. More Aboriginal people should be in management and executive positions, leading community projects, and recruiting and training Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff. Add “Aboriginal applicants welcome” to all your job ads.
• Acknowledge traditional owners. Acknowledge the traditional owners and of Aboriginal people as the custodians of the land at major meetings and events. Let Aboriginal children raise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Permanently show the flags in your publications, websites, etc.
• Form partnerships. Create positive and productive working partnerships with Aboriginal organisations. Strong relationships bring different skills and perspectives to the table and encourage innovation, success and excellence. Contact the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council for certified Aboriginal-owned suppliers of goods and services.
• Sponsor events. Sponsor events in remote Aboriginal communities. Consult with local Aboriginal elders to find out what the community needs, then work with them to help provide these goods or services.

Here are some smaller ideas:

• always write “Aboriginal people”, don’t write “Indigenous” or “indigenous”
• invite family, friends or work colleagues to a screening of an Aboriginal movie
• invite elders or representatives from Aboriginal communities to tell their story, their view of life
• acknowledge the traditional owners when possible
• involve family, friends, staff to contribute ideas (strengthens awareness of Aboriginal history/culture)
• create a calendar showing Aboriginal events and photos and pieces of information about them
• provide guidance for managers of Aboriginal employees
• create Aboriginal section on the company intranet and/or external internet site
• establish an Aboriginal advisory group
• encourage 3rd parties to demonstrate their engagement/RAP
• develop partnerships with Aboriginal communities
• create Aboriginal sponsorships
• hang Aboriginal artworks in offices (local artists?)
• support local Aboriginal programs
• work with the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council
• name something with local Aboriginal words or after local Aboriginal persons (consult local Aboriginal people)

Between 2006 and 2011 more than 300 organisations have implemented RAPs, including some of Australia’s largest companies, not-for-profits, government departments, schools and universities [6].

More than 20,000 people of RAP organisations have completed formal cultural awareness training. Organisations have committed to employing more than 21,000 Aboriginal people, and by May 2012 over 13,000 positions were filled [6]. 1,000 Aboriginal youth were in apprenticeships and traineeships. $26 million were spent purchasing goods and services from certified Aboriginal businesses.

Reconciliation Australia can help identify actions that fulfil the requirements mentioned earlier.

What is the National Reconciliation Week about?

In 1993 faith communities of Australia started the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation. Following its success, the week was expanded in 1996 to become National Reconciliation Week to provide nationwide focus for all reconciliation activities.

This is a time for all Australians to commit to changes and actions within their circle of influence to contribute to a more mature and inclusive Australian community.

Each year, National Reconciliation Week has a different theme. Some past themes have been Communities working Together (1998), Walking Together (1999), Sharing our future: The next steps (2000), Reconciliation: Keeping the Flame Alive (2001), Reconciliation: It’s Not Hard to Understand (2003) and Let’s talk recognition! (2011).

National Reconciliation Week falls between 27 May and 3 June - two significant dates in the relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and Mabo Day, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court judgment in the Mabo case.

Where can I learn more?

Check out the following sites for more information on reconciliation:

Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2000 by the former Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. They are the peak national organisation building and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for the wellbeing of the nation.

Reconcile.org.au
The Reconcile website was developed pro bono for Reconciliation Australia. Its purpose is to create an online resource for people nationwide to learn and discuss the importance of reconciliation and how we can all go about achieving it.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR)
ANTaR is an independent, national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.

Australian Government
The Australian government has put together a page on the history of the reconciliation movement along with links to further information and resources.

Reconciliation in Canada
Reconciliation is not unique to Australia. Canada is working towards implementing all of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 1994 recommendations for its Aboriginal people. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission created a report about abuses within government residential schools of Aboriginal children.

An estimated 150,000 Aboriginal children were also forcibly removed from their families to break their link to their culture and identity and assimilate them into mainstream society. Canada apologised in 2008 to survivors of the residential schools.