ReconciliationNews ISSUE NO 23 // May 2012 Reconciliation: a personal reflection The Hon Robyn Layton AO QC Nova Peris Recognising Aboriginal girls Mark Olive and Stephanie Alexander Take reconciliation to the table 2 ISSUE NO 23 // May 2012 CONTENTS 4 Reconciliation: a personal reflection 8 The Indigenous governance and development challenge: an international conversation 13 Mark Olive and Stephanie Alexander take reconciliation to the table for National Reconciliation Week 14 Recognising girls and CEO investing in their future 18 Turning good intentions into message action on reconciliation Old Parliament House, This year has been off to a flying start and events in the King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600 first few months have demonstrated how important our PO Box 4773, Kingston ACT 2604 work is to achieving a united and reconciled Australia. Ph: (02) 6273 9200 Fax: (02) 6273 9201 www.reconciliation.org.au From the report that was handed to the The formalities of the National Flag Raising As the national organisation building relationships Prime Minister recommending changes and Citizenship Ceremony on the morning between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to the Constitution to formally recognise of Australia Day were a mark of how far we peoples and other Australians, Reconciliation Australia acknowledges the traditional owners Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have come. The inclusion of the Aboriginal of country throughout Australia and their Australians, to the scenes outside the and Torres Strait Islander flags being raised continuing connection to land, sea and community. Lobby restaurant on Australia Day. From along with the Australian flag; Aunty Agnes We pay our respect to them and their cultures, the celebrations of this year’s Australian of Shea welcoming everyone to Ngunnawal and to the elders both past and present. the Year winners to the passing of great country and National Australia Day Chairman Reconciliation Australia is an independent, role models including Uncle Jimmy Little Adam Gilchrist, the Prime Minister and the not-for-profit, non-government organisation. Your active contribution and financial support helps and elder Mr Ned Cheedy. There have been Governor General all paying their respects us develop innovative programs and resources. many highs and lows. to the traditional owners of Australia This newsletter is compiled by Reconciliation Reconciliation Australia’s role is vital to were all welcomed steps forward. These Australia to share reconciliation stories, issues and ensuring that we focus on the positive acts of inclusiveness and recognition are opinions. Feedback and story ideas are always demonstrated throughout many ceremonies welcome along with names and addresses of developments and stories of Aboriginal and people who would like to receive the newsletter. Torres Strait Islander peoples, and that we and events all year round. Please email us at: [email protected] promote working together in a progressive These simple important actions are Caution: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and respectful manner. testament to the progress that is being peoples should be aware that this publication made and that change is happening, but we may contain the images of deceased people. Our annual breakfast honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian of acknowledge that a lot more still remains. the Year finalists, and other finalists who We all know reconciliation is a big process are working with our communities, was a and there is no single strand. wonderful event to meet inspirational people Just recently we celebrated the launch of the and to hear firsthand their stories. These 300th Reconciliation Action Plan, welcoming figures are important for reconciliation. Not GrainCorp to the RAP family. What an only do they inspire the nation but they achievement for the program. The outcomes inspire individuals. we are witnessing through our RAP partners, ISSUE NO 23 // May 2012 3 and their commitment to opportunities recognition also complements the important Indigenous Excellence to have their say on and actions that go to the heart of work around constitutional change. constitutional change. Their enthusiasm was infectious and I hope they will continue overcoming employment, education and As the national body promoting health inequality, are clear signs of the the conversation in their communities about reconciliation between Aboriginal and change that is happening. Our RAP Impact why change is important. Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Measurement Report, released in February, Australians, Reconciliation Australia has It’s these images of excellence, of optimism shows that significant progress is being been tasked by the Australian Government and of courage that I hope the Australian made in the areas of cultural awareness, to lead the You Me Unity campaign. You community will continue to hold front and employment and Aboriginal and Torres Me Unity—the public education campaign centre in 2012—as it is the only way we Strait Islander business opportunities. for Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal can foster change. Everyone has a role in facilitating and and Torres Strait Islander peoples—is about And speaking of change, I hope you enjoy advancing this positive change—and reflecting a nation’s values; its idea of itself the new-look Reconciliation News. We’re National Reconciliation Week is a perfect for the future. moving the publication to a magazine time for us to broaden the conversation. format with longer and more in-depth At Reconciliation Australia, we believe that This year I am pleased to welcome articles about reconciliation. Please enjoy recognition and reconciliation go hand in Mark Olive and Stephanie Alexander as this issue that focuses on recognition— hand and that constitutional change has the the 2012 National Reconciliation Week both individuals and organisations. Ambassadors. They’re encouraging potential to bring all Australians together. Australians to get together this May over In March, around 100 emerging young Leah Armstrong a cuppa or around a BBQ to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chief Executive reconciliation. This year’s theme Let’s talk leaders met at the National Centre of Reconciliation Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard with India Mortlock at a morning tea in Parliament House after the Government’s announcement of the next steps for Constitutional Recognition. Picture by Cole Bennett. 4 ISSUE NO 23 // May 2012 Reconciliation: a personal reflection By The Hon Robyn Layton AO QC Photo courtesy of Luke Hemer/ Messenger Community News. ISSUE NO 23 // May 2012 5 Reconciliation has been at the forefront of my thoughts over the last two months. There are personal reasons for its prominence. I was recently in Canberra on 26 January 2012 for the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards. I was privileged to be the South Australia finalist and also a recipient of an Order of Australia in the General Division. I met with two Aboriginal women who were also Australian of the Year Award finalists. Julie Tongs Local Hero from the Australian Capital Territory for her health and wellbeing initiatives and Rebecca Richards Young Australian South Australia for her voluntary work which included Indigenous health and education and being the first Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar. I also met Dr John Boffa who was the Australian of the Year finalist for the Northern Territory, for his outstanding contribution to the health development for Aboriginal people in the north of Australia. A particularly moving moment was when Luckily Pat Dodson, a few days later, helpfully incidents could jeopardise historically Laurie Baymarrangga, a 90-odd-year-old began the process of putting the events into needed change. She asked that if that elder from Murrungga Island in the Northern perspective. As he said: “I would always was true, what could we do to overcome Territory was announced as the recipient of condemn bad manners and unnecessarily this to build a stronger, more open and the Senior Australian of the Year. She was aggressive behaviour by whomever. But I will honest relationship between Aboriginal unable to be present but we saw video always defend people’s rights to assert their and Torres Strait Islander peoples and footage of an interview with her and also other Australians. She expressed her interviews of others who spoke about her political position and try to look to the heart of view that the events in Canberra made a outstanding initiatives in providing housing, why people feel so oppressed that they feel cultural maintenance and environmental violent confrontation is the only recourse.” powerful argument for a structural change wellbeing for her community. in the way business is done in Australia. It made changes to the Constitution to The prominence given by the National Australia Day Council to awarding Australian of the Year “As a non-Aboriginal recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Awards to persons engaged in Aboriginal and Islander peoples and to prohibit racial Torres Strait Islander issues this year is very person a primary discrimination even more necessary and significant. It was particularly special to see more urgent, not less. Pat referred to the so many Aboriginal people being recognised personal commitment need to address feelings of powerlessness for the work that they have done within their and consequent rage in some Aboriginal own communities. There were also examples is to increase my and Torres Strait Islander communities and of people working together with Aboriginal a need to build a system which is more people to improve their welfare and the knowledge and responsive to their needs. connection between cultures. understanding about Pat also made another important point Reconciliation Australia arranged a breakfast that the mainstream system must learn in Canberra which we attended; overall Aboriginal people the mood was uplifting, with hope and to recognise and respect Aboriginal enthusiasm for the future. We were all within the community experience, that most Australians generally looking forward to the positive steps of know very little about Aboriginal people.