Reconciliation Action Plan Department of Human Services and Department of Health 2011–2012
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Reconciliation action Plan Department of Human Services and Department of Health 2011–2012 Endorsed by: Reconciliation action Plan 2011–2012 Department of Human Services and Department of Health If you would like to receive this publication in another format, please contact (03) 9096 7242, if using the National Relay Service contact 13 36 77 or email [email protected] ction Plan 2011– 2012 A If you require any further information on the Department of Human Services and Department of Health Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), please contact: Aboriginal Outcomes Branch Level 27, 50 Lonsdale Street, RECONCILIATION RECONCILIATION Melbourne 3000 ii Phone: (03) 9096 7242 Published by Industry, Workforce and Strategy Division, Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. October 2011 © Copyright State of Victoria, Department of Human Services and Department of Health, 2011 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Also published on: www.health.vic.gov.au/aboriginalhealth/ www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/plans,-programs-and-projects/plans-and-strategies/key-plans- and-strategies/reconciliation-action-plan-2008-2010 www.reconciliation.org.au Authorised by the State Government of Victoria, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Designed by d fa Design Printed by Condor group Pty Ltd, Building 2, Courtyard, 617 Spencer Street, West Melbourne. Throughout the RAP, the term Aboriginal refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal is used in preference to Indigenous; however Indigenous is retained when it is part of the title of a report or program. Koori refers to Aboriginal people from the south eastern part of Australia. As not all Aboriginal people living in Victoria are Koori, this is used only when part of the title of a report or program. Cover artists: Employees of the Department of Human Services and Department 1 2 of Health This artwork depicts the meaning of Reconciliation for Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal employees of the Department of 3 4 Human Services and Department of Health. 1. Loddon Mallee Region Canvases and paints, in the colours of the 2. Barwon-South Western Region Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, 3. Grampians Region ction Plan 2011– 2012 A were distributed throughout central office 4. Central Office and provided to offices across the eight 5. North and West Metropolitan Region regions. Employees were asked to reflect 6. Eastern Metropolitan Region on “what Reconciliation means to me” 7. Southern Metropolitan Region and reproduce these thoughts, feelings and RECONCILIATION 8. Hume Region experiences through art. 9. Gippsland Region iii This approach aimed to involve employees in a conversation about Reconciliation through the sharing of individual stories and consideration of the views of others. Each of the canvases have been brought COVER ARTISTS together to create the front cover of the 5 6 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and excerpts have been used throughout the publication. The artwork has also branded the communications, policies and events that are implemented through our RAP actions. 7 8 9 ‘What Reconciliation means to me’ Reconciliation means that we take the road Reconciliation means that as a non-Aboriginal together not as one. person working with DHS, I might no longer John Gorrie, Aboriginal Advocate, ask an Aboriginal Australian what can I do for Children, Youth & Families Division, DHS you, but rather what it is we can do together. On a more personal level, it enables me to Reconciliation is about respect, appreciation seek out Aboriginal people to help me, to and understanding of the Australian teach me how to connect, and how to come Aboriginal culture and heritage. It’s to know more intimately the land, spirit and about ensuring all people have the same history of this place to which I also belong. opportunities – whether they are Aboriginal Sally Rose, Senior Project Manager, or non-Aboriginal. It’s about reconciling Community Development, the differences in health, education and Disability Services Division, DHS opportunities. Reconciliation is a feeling, an action, an understanding of respect. Reconciliation involves justice, recognition To me Reconciliation should be about an and healing. It’s about all Australians moving ction Plan 2011– 2012 A all-inclusive Australia, where Aboriginal and forward with a better understanding of non-Aboriginal people are treated equally, the past and how the past affects the lives while at the same time, respecting cultural of Aboriginal people today. Reconciliation differences and celebrating the Indigenous involves symbolic recognition of the heritage of Australia. honoured place of the First Australians, as RECONCILIATION RECONCILIATION Louise Simm, Coordinator, well as practical measures to address the iv Information, Analysis & Performance Evaluation, disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal Loddon Mallee Region, DH people in health, employment, education and general opportunity. Reconciliation is everyone’s business...positive Carmel Sait, Program Adviser, attitudes, a spirit of goodwill, mutual respect Service Development and Quality, DH and the recognition of the effects of white settlement on Australia’s First peoples. Reconciliation, in my view, is about where we Jason Selim, Senior Advisor, want to be as a nation this century. It is about Social and Community Strategy Unit, having the ability to understand that divisive Southern Metropolitan Region, DHS practices of the past can provide optimism and faith for the future. For me, Reconciliation should underpin the Troy Mc Donald, way in which we make decisions about Senior Aboriginal Planning Officer, the way we deliver Department of Health Gippsland Region, DHS programs. In particular, I believe that we should ensure that Aboriginal people have the same opportunities to access health services and achieve good health as all other Australians and that we should work in partnership with Aboriginal people to best understand how to deliver health services in ways that are respectful and culturally appropriate. Janet Chapman, Manager Population Health & Service Planning, Hume Region, DH c ontents Message from our Ministers vi Secretaries’ foreword vii Our Vision for Reconciliation 1 Our Business 2 Our Approach 4 Reflecting on our inaugural RAP 2010-2011 7 Reconciliation Actions and Targets 8 Respect 9 Culture 11 Relationships 13 ction Plan 2011– 2012 A Opportunities 15 Our Reconciliation Action Plan journey 17 Monitoring and Reporting 18 RECONCILIATION RAP Implementation Group 20 v CONTENTS Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners This RAP supports the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health in demonstrating a commitment to the four pillars of Respect, Culture, Relationships and Opportunity. With these pillars as the foundation for the RAP, both departments acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, pay respect to the Elders of Victoria’s Aboriginal communities both past and present and acknowledge the ongoing contribution made by Victoria’s Aboriginal people today. Message fRoM ouR MinisteRs Reconciliation involves building respectful relationships based on trust and mutual understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. To us, Reconciliation is about a process of recognition and respect. Our approach is based on our strong belief that partnerships with Aboriginal Victorians are the only way forward. Reconciliation requires a commitment achievements and cultures. Creating to building and maintaining an on-going culturally safe and welcoming environments relationship that delivers real and tangible for Aboriginal people is an important step outcomes. It is a work in progress. That’s of inclusion and opens the doors for both why the Victorian Coalition Government has Aboriginal partners in service delivery and restored funding to Reconciliation Victoria. Aboriginal service users. ction Plan 2011– 2012 A The Victorian Government’s Aboriginal As Ministers for the portfolios, we are Inclusion Framework forms the primary basis pleased to support the Department of for an agreed approach for departments Human Services and Department of Health RECONCILIATION RECONCILIATION to consider inclusion. This Reconciliation Reconciliation Action Plan 2011-2012. The Action Plan (RAP) reflects the intent of the Victorian Coalition Government accepts the vi framework and will contribute to improved need for a multifaceted approach to closing access to mainstream services and improved the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage that S R government services for Aboriginal Victorians, covers all areas of people’s lives, including through better engagement with Aboriginal health, housing, education, employment and MINISTE people. The actions in this RAP reinforce our justice. Reconciliation is an important part of R commitment and our accountability. such an approach. OU M O R The delivery of Building Aboriginal Cultural We encourage all department staff to actively Competence training programs during engage with this RAP and the Reconciliation 2011 and 2012 to departmental staff and process. We congratulate the departments MESSAGE F funded agencies is a significant milestone in on improving relationships between engaging individuals and organisations on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people through a cultural journey. The RAP also promotes practical actions in this second Reconciliation a shared pride in Aboriginal expertise,