Reconciliation News

NRW 2017: Barometer: Narragunnawali: taking the the good, the fostering knowledge next steps bad and the and respect hopeful

37 MAY 2017 CONTENTS

4 NRW 2017: taking the next steps

7 The good, the bad and the hopeful

8 In conversation: Sister Anne Gardiner AM

10 Narragunnawali: fostering knowledge and respect

12 Looking after language

14 Andrea Mason, a woman of influence

16 RAPs – it’s all in the numbers

18 Jump Start – collaborating to connect

20 Bringing them healing

22 Aboriginal identity in multicultural Australia National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is just around the corner and this year we celebrate

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges significant anniversaries of two notable Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the events—the 50th of the 1967 Referendum and continuing connection to lands, waters the 25th of the Mabo judgement. and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and There will be hundreds of opportunities to participate in NRW from high present. profile events such as The Long Walk and the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls’ Reconciliation Australia Indigenous Round to community gatherings and activities in cities and towns Old Parliament House all around the country. King George Terrace Parkes ACT 2600 In Canberra, the cultural institutions are jointly presenting the NRW Trail Ph: (02) 6273 9200 comprising an impressive array of exhibitions and dedicated NRW activities. reconciliation.org.au [email protected] The Royal Australian Mint is producing a special anniversary 50 cent coin,

Reconciliation Australia is an and ABC TV will broadcast Q and A live from Parliament House on 29 May. independent, not-for-profit organisation promoting reconciliation by building So I invite you to be part of NRW 2017 in whatever way you choose to relationships, respect and trust between celebrate these special milestones and to lend your support for the next the wider Australian community and important step—the quest for recognition of the First Australians in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Constitution. Together we can make history again. peoples. Visit reconciliation.org.au to find out more. Earlier this year, a number of positive findings were revealed in our 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer (the Barometer) survey. In the main, attitudes and perceptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians towards each other are in good shape, exceeding the markers set two years ago. Also, nearly all of us believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to our nation’s identity and that the relationship between us is important.

On the downside, the Barometer shows that experiences of racism are still all too common for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and in fact are increasing.

This reality proves the absolute need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to be supported in providing culturally safe health, education Cover photo: Torres Strait dancer and justice essential services. Without support, there is little hope of (Image by Wayne Quilliam) achieving the 2030 aspirational target to close the gap. Issue No 37 / May 2017 3

The goodwill is there, but we need to harness it. Government, businesses and all communities must commit to working in meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ways to improve our relationship have already been outlined. The Redfern Statement provides an action plan designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. It is a blueprint for structured change; a template to work for, and with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies who know their communities. You can read more about the Barometer fi ndings in this issue of Reconciliation News.

The 2017 Closing the Gap report released by the Prime Minister earlier this year also showed how much progress is yet to be made with poor results in six of the seven targets. Aboriginal and Torres Strait wellbeing, including infant mortality, health and education are all lagging badly.

No doubt, a contributing factor is the current political uncertainty in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environment. Changing policy approaches inhibit long-term planning while the removal of more than $500 million from the Indigenous Aff airs budget in 2014 is still being felt by many organisations and communities across the nation.

The one bright spot was the Year 12 attainment levels by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. But clearly we need to do much better.

On another matter, Reconciliation Australia fi rmly believes it’s time for a frank and open discussion to fi nd an inclusive national day of unity that is celebrated on a day other than 26 January. It’s a perennial issue but one that deserves genuine consideration. Our national day can never be truly inclusive if it reminds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of invasion, dispossession and loss of culture.

Instead, the day should be a source of unity, pride and celebration that refl ects the identities, histories and cultures of all Australians. In short, a day that draws us all together. For the First Australians, a national celebration on January 26 is inappropriate, the history that underpins it is simply too painful.

Reconciliation is all about recognising and healing the past and committing to a better future. Opting for an alternative date would indicate an acceptance of past wrongs and move us all to a better place. It’s a conversation we need to have.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy NRW, and perhaps spend a moment to think about the courage and resilience of those who worked so hard to achieve that stunning result back in 1967. At the same time, we can also remember Eddie Mabo whose successful quest for land rights has had such a far-reaching outcome for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In closing, I enthusiastically congratulate June Oscar on her recent appointment as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Social Justice Commissioner, the fi rst woman to occupy that important position. June is a superb choice, being a strong leader and passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Justin Mohamed CEO, Reconciliation Australia 4 Issue No 37 / May 2017

NRW 2017: TAKING THE NEXT STEPS

Image by Oliver Strewe.

Each year, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians in the journey towards reconciliation.

The week is embraced by two milestones, and demonstrate the signifi cant dates: 27 May, the day the genuine desire of Australians to historic 1967 Referendum was carried, achieve reconciliation. and 3 June, when the High Court This year’s theme Let’s Take the Next delivered its landmark judgement in Steps encourages us all to draw on the Mabo case in 1992. the dedication and determination This year those dates are especially of past campaigners for Aboriginal signifi cant being the 50th anniversary and Torres Strait Islander rights of the Referendum and the 25th and support the movement for anniversary of Mabo. Both these Constitutional recognition. events forever changed Australia and Whether you accompany Michael it is fi tting that as we continue to push Long for The Long Walk in Melbourne, for reconciliation, we refl ect on the attend one of the nine AFL matches hard work of so many people in the Indigenous Round, or simply before us. join a gathering in your offi ce, school, The hundreds of events and activities boardroom, community centre or local held in cities, towns and remote park, you will be taking that next step. Bill Onus at the Referendum march in communities across the country Melbourne in March 1967. will highlight those two important

Koojay Corroboree. Issue No 37 / May 2017 5

Fifty years is an awfully long time and 1967 REFERENDUM THE 1967 not many of the campaigners who REFERENDUM led the crusade are still alive today. INSIGHTS Often viewed as the event that But the anniversary will present • The referendum was about accelerated reconciliation in Australia, many opportunities to remember including Aboriginal people in the 1967 Referendum removed those and honour those determined the Census and allowing the clauses in the Constitution which activists, people like Jessie Street, Commonwealth to make laws for discriminated against Aboriginal and Faith Bandler, Pearl Gibbs, Joe Aboriginal people. It was not, as Torres Strait Islander people. McGinness, Pastor Doug Nicholls, some people believe, about giving The result meant that for the fi rst Stan Davey and many others. Aboriginal people the vote, that had time, they would be counted as They all share the credit for already happened in 1962. citizens in the national census. infl uencing public opinion through their sustained advocacy for change. • To succeed, the referendum The overwhelming Yes vote of needed approval of four of the six 90.77 per cent also meant that the The success of the vote also states and around 2.5 million votes. Commonwealth Government had reminds us of the importance of It was approved by all six states the power to make laws on behalf of bipartisanship in winning broad and received more than fi ve million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community support for change – votes. people. both major political parties supported the Yes vote. Political leadership is • Because citizens of the ACT and While the Referendum may not have an important element in progressing NT were not eligible to vote in 1967, led to the kind of instant outcomes reconciliation. around 3,000 to 4,000 Aboriginal its campaigners had hoped for, it people in the NT were not allowed spectacularly demonstrated the great to vote for their own cause. goodwill of the Australian community. • With 90.77 per cent of the population voting in favour, it remains the biggest ‘yes’ vote ever ‘I used to get very emotional about it because it recorded on any Commonwealth possessed me. I became totally obsessed with that referendum. campaign. There were times when I would take as many Source: Creative Spirits and Australian as three meetings in a day. And I did things that I would Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait never have dreamed of doing: like going into a pulpit, Islander Studies. Information about talking to church congregations, and putting up with the main advocates in the campaign, can be found on the AIATSIS website people whose ideas were totally foreign to me’. under ‘The Campaigners’. 1967 Referendum Campaigner Faith Bandler AC

Jessie Street, one of the main A newspaper advertisement promoting the Yes vote for campaigners for the 1967 referendum. the 1967 Referendum. 6 Issue No 37 / May 2017

WHO WAS EDDIE MABO? ‘With the Mabo decision, the Australian law has • Eddie Mabo’s birth name was taken a major step away from this injustice and has Eddie Koiki Sambo. He was born fi nally entered the mainstream of world opinion.’ on 29 June 1936 and his mother Prime Minister Paul Keating died giving birth. He was raised by his Uncle Benny Mabo as part of a Torres Strait Islander customary THE MABO DECISION CANBERRA’S adoption. Eddie Mabo’s successful claim of NRW TRAIL land rights for the Meriam people— • Over the years, he worked on During National Reconciliation Week the Traditional Owners of the Murray pearling boats, cutting cane and as 2017, a dozen of Canberra ‘s major Islands, including Mer, Dauer and a railway fettler. He married Bonita institutions have banded together Waier in the Torres Strait—overturned Neehow, an Australian-born to present the NRW Trail, a diverse more than two centuries of the South Sea Islander, and they had array of dedicated NRW activities accepted doctrine of terra nullius. 10 children. and events. The concept of terra nullius, meaning • Eddie was also an artist and writer. Visitors will be treated to exhibitions, ‘nobody’s land’, in international law Some of his art works and writings displays, lectures, tours, fi lms describes territory which has never are held by the National Library of and stories focusing on the been subject to the sovereignty of Australia. 1967 referendum and the Mabo any state, or over which any prior judgement. • He was an activist in the 1967 sovereign has expressly or implicitly Referendum campaign and helped relinquished. Venues include the National Gallery, found the Townsville Aboriginal and National Library, Museum of What began as a claim against the Islander Health Service. Australian Democracy, Australian War Queensland government went all the Memorial, National Museum, National • The issue of land rights became way to the High Court of Australia Archives, Portrait Gallery and a focus for Eddie in 1974, while where six of the seven justices found National Film and Sound Archive. working on campus as a gardener in favour of the plaintiff s and the at James Cook University and doctrine of native title was born. The Royal Australian Mint will also meeting university historians issue a commemorative 50 cent coin The 1967 Referendum and the Mabo Noel Loos and Henry Reynolds. to mark the anniversaries and the decision were hard fought landmark ABC will broadcast Q and A from the • Following his fi rst speech at a land events that helped to address Great Hall in Parliament House on rights conference at the University some of the blatant injustices felt by Monday, 29 May. in 1981, Eddie was approached Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander by a lawyer in the audience who peoples. You’ll fi nd dates and times on suggested there should be a each institution’s website and Now, in 2017, it’s up to all of us to test case to claim land rights a consolidated list of all the further advance reconciliation as we through the court system. And so NRW Trail events at take the next steps together. began a decade of research and reconciliation.org.au/nrw/events. preparation.

• Eddie Mabo didn’t live to see the decision passed down from the High Court. Eddie died of cancer on 29 January 1992, aged 55. REGISTER YOUR Five months later, the High Court handed down their decision. NRW EVENT

Source: Australian Institute of If you’re arranging an NRW event be sure to enter it Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander on our website calendar. The calendar is also the best Studies place to discover just what’s happening near you: reconciliation.org.au/nrw/events. Issue No 37 / May 2017 7

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE HOPEFUL

Reconciliation Australia’s Australian Reconciliation Barometer (the Barometer) is a national research study measuring attitudes and perceptions towards reconciliation in both the general Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The recently released 2016 Barometer racism (up from 39 per cent in 2014), 2008, we obviously aren’t moving provides a timely update on our a fi gure two and a half times higher fast enough on issues of racism and successes and shortcomings. than Australians from the general trust. These hurdles are holding all Comprising 500 Aboriginal and Torres community. Australians back from having positive Strait Islander Australian respondents relationships with each other,” Another negative fi nding is that almost and 2,277 Australians in the general Mr. Mohamed said. 57 per cent (up from 48 per cent) of community, the 2016 Barometer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Importantly, our State of survey again tracked the progress Australians and 39 per cent (up from Reconciliation in Australia report we have made towards a stronger 35 per cent) of Australians from the revealed last year that we aren’t relationship. general community believe Australia is addressing racism at an institutional On the positive side, fi ndings show a racist country. level. The current attempts to weaken that almost all Australians (97 per legal protections under the Racial cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Discrimination Act are obviously Islander Australians and 89 per cent of unhelpful and Australia is yet to Australians in the general community) implement its international obligations believe the relationship between us is under the United Nations Declaration important. Australians also believe that of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “And meanwhile, the Australian cultures are important to our national Constitution still allows for racial identity (93 per cent and 77 per cent 57% 39% discrimination. respectively). Clearly there is work to be done to address these gaps between “Overall, the Barometer’s mixed Australian attitudes, perceptions fi ndings indicate that unless goodwill and behaviours when it comes to is followed through with signifi cant reconciliation. reform at an institutional level, Australia will continue to fall short of its full The CEO of Reconciliation Australia, potential as a reconciled nation.” Justin Mohamed, said that with 10 years of data to drill down on, You can read the full report 93% 77% a clearer picture of the relationship on our website between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Pleasingly those percentages have all reconciliation.org.au/resources. Islander peoples and the general increased since the 2014 survey. community is emerging. But the results also show we still have “While the considerable goodwill high levels of prejudice and low levels generated by the National Apology of trust. Almost half (46 per cent) of to the Stolen Generations has been Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maintained since the fi rst survey in Australians have experienced recent 8 Issue No 37 / May 2017

IN CONVERSATION: SISTER ANNE GARDINER AM

Senior Australian of the Year, Sister Anne Gardiner AM with Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull at the Australian of the Year Awards. (Photo courtesy of the National Australia Day Council).

In January this year, Sister Anne We recently caught up with this remarkable woman for a chat about her six decades on the Tiwi Islands. Gardiner AM was named Senior Australian of the Year in recognition How did it come about that you found yourself in of her lifetime’s work with the the Tiwi Islands all those years ago and what were your fi rst impressions of the people and the land? Tiwi people. Belonging to a religious congregation, The Daughters of Her Tiwi story began in 1953, when Sister Anne, then a Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, I was sent to Bathurst Island 22-year-old member of the Daughters of Our Lady of the on November 23rd 1953. Already there were four other Sacred Heart, was asked to move to Bathurst Island. sisters working here with the Tiwi people. Little did she know then that she would still be there My fi rst impressions were and still are, that the Tiwi people 64 years later, all the while enriching community, enhancing are an outgoing, extroverted group. They made me feel opportunity and supporting the Tiwi culture. welcome from the moment I stepped from the plane. An advocate of peace, love, local decision-making and Their Island is beautiful, and as I walked around the Mission Tiwi language and culture, Sister Anne has worked area, I grew to love every tree, plant and especially the tirelessly to educate generations of children while also Apsley Strait. establishing community groups from mothers’ clubs to What was your primary role when you fi rst arrived little athletics. Since her retirement as principal of the on Bathurst Island and how did that expand over local primary school, Sister Anne has run regular prayer the years? meetings, founded an op shop and established a coff ee shop to support her much-loved community. My primary role was that of a teacher. Here I found myself very vulnerable, as I was young, just out of teacher training Sister Anne’s most recent project was working with school and it was my fi rst time working with Indigenous community members to establish the Patakajivali museum people. I learnt much from the two Tiwi ladies who worked preserving Tiwi history, culture and language for future with me. Many years later I became the Principal. generations. A key member of the community, Sister Anne is much loved and respected by the Tiwi people and has earned an enduring place in their hearts. Issue No 37 / May 2017 9

What are some of the signifi cant In your experience, what is One last thing, you have devoted changes you’ve seen in that time, the single most important the greater part of your life particularly in the wellbeing and thing that governments should working with the Tiwi people expectations of the Tiwi people? do to address Indigenous and are much loved and highly disadvantage? respected in the community. Changes are good, changes have But what about you? In what to happen. The fi rst big change was From Government down LISTEN. ways have you been rewarded when Father Cosgrove was able to I have seen over the years, too many and blessed by your time on the build the fi rst decent houses and non-Indigenous people who come Islands? people moved from their humpies into remote places, carrying their on the beach. Then came the next own agenda. I have had the privilege of living side change when alcohol was permitted. by side with the Tiwi people for over This had a very negative outcome for Although you have now retired, 50 years. I have been blessed by their the people. 1969 was a great year you are still very active in the Tiwi acceptance of me and loyalty to me. when the Tiwi people achieved self- community. What projects have In my younger years I made many determination. They said leave the you tackled since retirement and mistakes. I was insensitive in many sisters in the school and clinic and we what are your plans now? ways to their beliefs and culture. will have a go at the rest. Yes, I have retired. The projects I have Yet these people accepted me with commenced with the help always my many failings and were paramount Of all the projects and activities of Tiwi women are the op shop, the in my growing up to become the you’ve been involved in during coff ee shop and the museum. woman I am today. your time in the Tiwi Islands, Now I have handed over the museum what has given you the most My rewards, all of them have been I intend to take time to be with the satisfaction and why? given to me solely because I am part students on the playground, listening of them. My AM medal, my latest This is hard to answer. As each project to their needs. Also I plan to go award as Senior Australian, were came to mind I gave it my all. The fi rst down town and mix with the younger both given because of my involvement big one was when I handed the school members of the Tiwi. To me they with the Tiwi. My biggest and best over to the fi rst Tiwi Principal. This seem to be lost, perhaps I can be of award is that of being a Daughter of gave all concerned great satisfaction. assistance in remembering the past Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. I guess the project that has given with them. My gratitude goes to my Congress for me the most fulfi lment is creating the Is there anything you particularly allowing me to stay here with the Tiwi, Patakijiyali Museum. The icing on it and gratitude to the Tiwi people for all happened on March 17th when I wish to accomplish as Senior Australian of the Year? allowing me to live and work here with handed the running of the museum them. I would have to add that the into the hands of four Tiwi ladies. Yes. As I move around to the various creation of the museum is my functions that I will be invited to How important do you think fi nal reward. attend, my message and wish is events like the 1967 referendum, that we as Australians, no matter as the Mabo judgement and the to colour, belief or culture, can live Apology are in uniting Aboriginal together and respect each other. and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians? Very important. More and more I realise the gulf between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. I feel strongly more has to be done in all schools to educate students about our First Australians. This became more evident to me when I received the Senior Australian of the Year Award and spoke with the media. 10 Issue No 37 / May 2017

NARRAGUNNAWALI: FOSTERING KNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT

Narragunnawali library image by Hilary Wardhaugh.

Education is a vital tool for progressing reconciliation in Australia. In 2014, that belief led Reconciliation Australia to establish Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning. Its purpose is to enable all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

The timing is perfect. The curriculum framework for schools 1,000 schools and early learning services, and over and early learning services in Australia now requires 4,000 teachers and educators around Australia, have teachers and educators to incorporate Aboriginal and demonstrated their commitment to reconciliation by joining Torres Strait Islander content and perspectives across all the Narragunnawali community. Hopefully over the next learning areas. Narragunnawali supports teachers and few years, a signifi cant proportion of schools and early educators to fi nd the best way to embed this content in learning services across Australia will have formalised their their practice. commitment to reconciliation through the Narragunnawali program. This framework accords with the State of Reconciliation In Australia report last year which declared ‘an education Narragunnawali is supporting the growing number of system that uses a cross-curriculum focus to foster teachers, educators, students, children, families, and respectful understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait community members that work together to increase Islander cultures and histories is crucial to becoming a knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait reconciled nation’. Islander histories and cultures. The program continues to innovate with new components to further empower Excitingly, teachers and educators across Australia schools and early learning services, together with their local continue to sign up to the reconciliation movement. communities, to take action for reconciliation. Since the launch of Narragunnawali in 2014, over Issue No 37 / May 2017 11

The updated platform includes Access to the platform or to join the ONLINE PLATFORM hundreds of new curriculum and Narragunnawali community is not Narragunnawali’s interactive online professional learning resources restricted to those in a RAP Working platform is the ideal resource for sourced from across the country. Group for a school or early learning anyone committed to increasing Collated by a team of Aboriginal service. Anyone (teacher, student, knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and and non-Indigenous educators, parent or community member) can Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures all curriculum and professional now access the resources and and contributions in Australian schools learning resources are aligned to the contribute to progressing reconciliation and early learning services. appropriate curriculum frameworks in schools and early learning services. and professional learning standards, So sign up now and spread the word! The platform enables schools and enabling straightforward integration early learning services to formalise into programming cycles in schools their commitment to reconciliation and early learning services. through the self-guided development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The recently launched update includes a number of new features and functions to strengthen the RAP development process, and allows RAP working groups to set detailed goals and deliverables to drive sustainable change.

Members of the Narragunnawali community can also now connect with other schools and early learning services with RAPs all across the country by viewing the new Who has a RAP? interactive map. reconciliation.org.au/narragunnawali

Any school or early learning service Nominations for the Narragunnawali NARRAGUNNAWALI that has commenced or completed a Awards will be open until 9 June AWARDS Narragunnawali Reconciliation Action 2017. Be sure to nominate schools Reconciliation Australia recently Plan (RAP) can be nominated for or early learning services that are launched the inaugural Narragunnawali the Awards. Nominations must be doing inspirational work to increase Awards, recognising reconciliation supported and endorsed by the local knowledge and respect for the excellence in the education sector. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures of Australia’s community. First Peoples. Two awards, one for early learning services and one for schools will be Award winners will receive a fully For more information, visit awarded to recognise exceptional funded celebratory event in their reconciliation.org.au/ commitment to reconciliation in the school or early learning service narragunnawali. for the whole community to enjoy. classroom, around the school or Narragunnawali is made possible early learning service, and with the Reconciliation Australia will work with the winning school and early learning through the support of BHP Billiton community. The judging panel will Sustainable Communities. comprise both Aboriginal and Torres service to plan the event which might Strait Islander and non-Indigenous include a presentation ceremony, education experts. performances, catering, and creative workshops led by artists, dancers and musicians. 12 Issue No 37 / May 2017

LOOKING AFTER LANGUAGE

Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs (Yirrkala School Co-Principal) and Mònica Pereña (Linguapax International President) engaged in a ceremony of Stringy-bark leaves falling at the Linguapax Award celebration. (Image by Quyen Nguyen).

In the past, knowing more than one language enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to communicate with neighbouring nations. Today, along with its emotional and cognitive benefi ts, that same bilingual skill helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people straddle the divide between traditional culture and the non-Aboriginal environment.

However Aboriginal fi rst language funding and a number of independant Last year, Yambirrpa Schools Council bilingual programs are hard to fi nd schools that provide bilingual and and Djarrma Action Group won the in Australia today. It wasn’t always bicultural education. International Linguapax Award. like this. Forty years ago there were This prestigious award was a fi tting Yirrkala is one of the communities that Aboriginal bilingual programs in the reward for Yirrkala Yambirrpa Schools has fought to maintain its bilingual/ Northern Territory, Queensland, South long and dedicated resistance to the bicultural program, celebrating the Australia and Western Australia. domination of English language and 40th year of bilingual education at But over time, a lack of Government culture in their children’s education. support has seen these programs Yirrkala School in 2013. The occasion drastically reduced despite vigorous was a time for Yolngu to remember the In making their decision, the community backing for them. insightful vision and strength of their Linguapax jury, comprising Elders, but it was also an important 40 international experts recognised The irony of the ever-increasing marker in the continuing battle for the ‘struggle initiated more than number of world language bilingual Indigenous language rights throughout 40 years ago by the community Elders programs is not lost on Aboriginal and Australia. to convey the cultural and linguistic Torres Strait Islander peoples who heritage of their people through have had their fi rst language bilingual bilingual teaching programs.’ programs defunded and dismantled. In the Northern Territory there are currently only nine bilingual programs with targeted bilingual government Issue No 37 / May 2017 13

Läŋani Marika-Yunupiŋu, Mònica Pereña and Djuwalpi Marika at the Linguapax Award celebration. (Image by Quyen Nguyen).

Yolngu Elders have always had a society, clan language is fundamental development of Yolngu education, vision for a balanced education, to identity. It infl uences who you are, fulfi lling the hope and sustaining believing their children have a right to Dhuwa or Yirritja; which clan you the vision for the next generations. learn in their own Yolngu languages belong to; which lands and seas you Yambirrpa Schools is a living example and Yolngu knowledge and that belong to; which ceremonies and of multilingual/multicultural education English language and Western song lines will be yours. in an Indigenous language in Australia knowledge will come later, when and it is a shining beacon of hope for As Dr M Yunupingu once said, appropriate for the learners. The all minority languages across ‘Our Yolngu children should not have Award was a magnifi cent tribute to the globe. to leave their cleverness outside the the generations of Yolngu who classroom door’. have fought for a proper education for their children. Yirrkala School continues to develop the Garma Maths and Many Yolngu have shouldered the Galtha curriculum (traditional Yolngu work of the School Council and knowledge) which support Galtha the Action Group over the past Rom workshops across all levels in the 40 years. They have championed Yambirrpa Schools. The successful Yolngu education and Yolngu Learning on Country program places empowerment, worked closely with these Galtha workshops fi rmly on Elders, and drawn upon traditional Country with Elders and Yolngu Yolngu knowledge and philosophy, Rangers as teachers and students Yolngu clan languages and Yolngu learning at the right time, in the right ways of working. place, using the right language and Yolngu have a deep understanding of with the right people. the importance of language, having The bilingual program at Yirrkala always been multilingual, speaking remains vibrant and strong and and understanding a number of will continue to shape the future Yolngu clan languages. In Yolngu 14 Issue No 37 / May 2017

PM’s Indigenous Advisory Council Member Andrea Mason. (Photo courtesy of the National Australia Day Council).

ANDREA MASON, A WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

Andrea Mason’s mobile phone has taken a hammering in the last 12 months as accolades and awards acknowledging her work have meant everyone wants a piece of her time.

As the CEO of Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara To top it off , she was recently appointed to and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory which covers 350,000 sq kms of Central Council (IAC) and has now accepted a Australia, Andrea already had plenty on her nine-month secondment with the Westpac plate. That workload increased last year Group in Sydney, an opportunity made with the obligations and opportunities that possible through Jawun Indigenous accompanied her selection as Telstra’s Corporate Partnerships and Westpac. Business Woman of the Year. And that was before she was announced as the NT’s 2017 Australian of the Year and the Centralian Citizen of the Year. Issue No 37 / May 2017 15 “I have prepared my whole life for the opportunities I have received in NPY Women’s Council. I genuinely believe that if you support the empowerment of women and children, then every member of the community is, in the long run, healthier and happier.”

With degrees in Aboriginal Aff airs ’She has involved the entire Andrea has come a long way since and Public Administration and in community in her business model her teenage years when sport was her Laws, Andrea is one of the emerging and built a blueprint for making a overriding passion. In those days she new Aboriginal and Torres Strait diff erence. Signifi cantly, Ms Mason has was always a dedicated team player Islander leaders. For the past seven developed a replicable commercial and nothing has changed. years at NPY Women’s Council process and relationships to make it “Any career goals I’ve been able to she has infl uenced Aboriginal and sustainable’. kick over the years have largely been non-Aboriginal thinking to create In accepting the placement with thanks to the people I’ve worked with. employment, support health and Westpac, Andrea says her primary Much like netball or football, everyone wellbeing, and tackle domestic motivation had been to expand her on the team plays their part and this violence and other social challenges. knowledge and understanding of also means everyone learns from With deep respect for local language, business strategies that work for successes and defeats.” country, law and family, Andrea is and with Aboriginal people and their Andrea is confi dent that true determined to help children and young communities. reconciliation is certainly achievable people realise the same aspirations “If I can assist with interpreting and agrees that in celebrating as their urban counterparts. Andrea is information on my return to Alice this year’s signifi cant National confi dent that NPY Women’s Council Springs, I hope in the long term that Reconciliation Week we should all take has the programs to turn this ambition we will see across central Australia a moment to think about what each into action. more Aboriginal people, especially of us can do to further enhance our She points to such innovative social Aboriginal women, seeking business shared relationships. enterprises as the Council’s Tjanpi opportunities with leaders in the “I believe the road ahead for Desert Weavers which represents business sector,” Andrea said. reconciliation in Australia is shaped by more than 400 women artists from Andrea says she took on the what we as Australian citizens commit 26 remote communities and the appointment to the Prime Minister’s to do, but it is also weakened by what Ngangkari program that melds ‘refreshed’ Indigenous Advisory we fail to do. Because I prefer to live traditional healers with the best of Council (IAC), because she wants life without regret, I choose to do all I western medicine to maximise health to bring to national discussions the can to progress reconciliation while outcomes and wellbeing. perspectives that she has seen deliver I have the opportunities to do this.” “I have prepared my whole life for the rewards in central Australia. Before heading off to Sydney, Andrea opportunities I have received in NPY “I believe I can make a meaningful was grateful to spend a couple of Women’s Council. I genuinely believe contribution at the national level. quiet days at home. that if you support the empowerment I have done this through my leadership of women and children, then every “Just switching off that phone and in NPY Women’s Council, in my member of the community is, in the taking some time out to simply think role as a leader in the Empowered long run, healthier and happier.” doesn’t happen often enough. A little Communities Initiative and when solitude is good for the soul and it also Telstra Business Women’s Awards I had responsibilities to progress gave me a chance to give my netball ambassador and marketing offi cer Joe reconciliation during my time in knees a rest!” Pollard said that Andrea speaks with Canberra, so I know the level of eff ort dignity and leads with humanity and and energy that is required for such a cultural sensitivity. task,” Andrea said. 16 Issue No 37 / May 2017

RAPS – IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

Each year, Reconciliation Australia tracks and measures the impact of its RAP program. The data used to measure that impact is drawn from annual program reporting provided by RAP organisations themselves.

The results for 2016 are contained in the recently published RAP Impact Measurement Report drawn from the responses of 343 RAP organisations.

It is clearly evident from the Report that in workplaces across Australia, RAPs continue to enhance relationships, drive respect and provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The facts and fi gures show how RAPs are at the forefront in advancing social change. Reconciliation Australia CEO Justin Mohamed and artist Chern’ee Sutton at the launch of the Dreamworld Stretch RAP.

INSPIRING RAP FACTS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE:

6,658 partnerships currently existing between RAP $24 million in charitable donations made 767 having created organisations and Aboriginal organisations to Aboriginal and Torres Strait a RAP since 2006. and Torres Strait Islander Islander organisations in this communities. reporting period.

One of many examples of the benefi t of good ‘Our RAP Collaborative Art Project has signifi cance to our relationships is St Vincent’s Health Australia: organisation on many levels. Most importantly the making of the art work helped us understand what we are trying St Vincent’s Health Australia created an art work to to achieve. Reconciliation is a big issue for many people symbolise the organisation’s commitment to reconciliation. working at St Vincent’s so we thought this is a way to The three panelled art work was a collaborative eff ort raise awareness, increase understanding and also create a involving 50 hospital staff and led by three prominent First fabulous and meaningful art work for our RAP.’ Australian artists from Victoria, NSW and Queensland. – Monique Silk, Project Curator Issue No 37 / May 2017 17

INSPIRING RAP FACTS RELATING TO One of the many examples of how RAPs engender respect RESPECT INCLUDE: comes from Westpac:

During NAIDOC Week 2016, Westpac distributed 300 hampers to selected Westpac branches across the country containing items from 12 First Australian suppliers. This promoted 1,579,916 51,797 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were working or employees completed suppliers, built awareness of Westpac studying in an organisation online cultural learning. Group’s supplier diversity policy, with a current RAP. and encouraged teams to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Recipients were chosen by the Indigenous Business Team, 46,446 3,043 commending teams who supported employees completed employees completed their visitation program and had high face-to-face cultural cultural immersion cultural awareness competency. awareness training. experience. The hamper provider, Global Outback, said it was the fi rst time they had been asked to source all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products and have gone on to form new supplier relationships as a result.

INSPIRING RAP FACTS ABOUT One of many examples of opportunities provided by a OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: RAP organisation comes from the Australian Red Cross:

Australian Red Cross now employs $14,613,877 11 local Tiwi staff who run programs was provided including community capacity building for Aboriginal and Torres and supporting the elderly and people Strait Islander education $169,457,556 with mental health worries. Most staff scholarships by RAP in goods and services was are trained in Mental Health First Aid organisations. purchased from Supply Nation certifi ed businesses by RAP which many of the youth workers organisations. incorporate in their work supporting young people on Tiwi Island. Staff also support the community during the 19,413 $16,322,301 cyclone and wet season so they are ready if disaster strikes. With nearly Aboriginal and in pro bono support 40 per cent of the Tiwi population Torres Strait Islander people was provided to were working or studying in Aboriginal and under the age of 24, working with organisations with a current RAP. Torres Strait Islander young people continues to be a large organisations or part of Red Cross’ work on the island. communities.

The full RAP Impact Measurement Report can be accessed through reconciliation.org.au/resources. 18 Issue No 37 / May 2017

JUMP START – COLLABORATING TO CONNECT

It’s the Uber of business coaching, the Airtasker for skilled volunteering, and the RSVP for community-minded professionals. When asked ‘What is Jump Start?’ it is often described in these terms, however the plan is for it to be much more.

In short, Jump Start is an innovative But while Supply Nation has So then, what does Jump Start collaboration between Supply Nation, successfully connected Indigenous actually do? the Commonwealth Bank of Australia suppliers with its members, enabling In essence it is a technology platform (Commbank)and Hewlett Packard them to access business networks that aims to access resources to the Enterprise (HPE) and has provided and skilled support has proven an benefi t of Indigenous businesses. both Commbank and HPE with an altogether more diffi cult challenge. With the many hundreds of exciting opportunity to engage their Yet from our greatest challenges, corporates, government departments, people in using their own unique some of our best ideas are born. not-for-profi ts and community skillset to further reconciliation. organisations now having a RAP Early last year, David Whiteing, How Jump Start came to be is a tale (many being members of Supply Commonwealth Bank’s Group of two journeys that came together. Nation), it means that millions of Executive for Enterprise Services and Australians are working or studying Supply Nation, established in 2009 Executive Sponsor for Reconciliation, with organisations committed to to connect Australia’s leading took his leadership team to Bawaka in reconciliation and Indigenous equality. brands and governments with North East Arnhem Land. The trip was Jump Start aims to tap into the skills Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander an opportunity to not only learn about that sit across these organisations to businesses across the country, one of the oldest cultures in the world, provide meaningful ways for people boasts 259 corporate, government that of the Yolngu peoples, but it also – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and community organisations and provided time for David’s leadership and non-Indigenous – to connect. 1,200 Indigenous suppliers as team to determine what they would members. Over the course of its focus on as part of the Group’s Through the Jump Start App, skilled eight-year existence, Supply Nation Elevate RAP. volunteers are able to create an online has supported Indigenous businesses profi le, outlining their skills and the On returning to Sydney, David to secure contracts with some of times they are available to volunteer. sponsored Supply Nation’s Indigenous Australia’s biggest corporates and As and when certifi ed suppliers of Entrepreneur Tour of Silicon Valley, and government agencies. Supply Nation require specifi c skills to it was there, in the world’s tech and support them with projects, they are innovation capital, where the Jump able to create a succinct brief outlining Start concept was conceived. the project for which they seek Issue No 37 / May 2017 19

Participants at the Jump Start workshop in Townsville. assistance. For example, this might The program has also expanded Since the project started, be around cash fl ow forecasting, a to include Jump Start workshops Commbank’s Enterprise Services PR campaign for the launch of a new with the Commbank Innovation division has also committed to product or coaching in preparation for team running sessions with achieving three per cent Aboriginal a tender pitch. Indigenous businesses. The fi rst and Torres Strait Islander employment series of workshops took Indigenous across the division by December The project briefs are made available businesses through design thinking 2026. to all registered volunteers, and with and experimentation frameworks that the simple press of a button, those To fi nd out more aboutJump Start help entrepreneurs better identify with the right skills are connected to and how your organisation can customers’ needs, de-risk new the Indigenous business seeking the get involved, contact business ideas and ensure that the skills. The platform is a simple to use [email protected]. products or services they deliver are way to link people, and from there desirable, viable and feasible. entrepreneurs and skilled volunteers are able to further discuss the brief Successful workshops have been run and arrange a suitable time to on the Gold Coast and in Townsville, connect. and as more Supply Nation members join up to Jump Start, the workshops will be expanded to other locations and topics. 20 Issue No 37 / May 2017

BRINGING THEM HEALING

Healing Foundation heals through its community partnerships.

This is a signifi cant year for important anniversaries. In addition to the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the 25th of the Mabo decision, 26 May 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report.

This landmark document was tabled The Healing Foundation, which was “The result is more Aboriginal people in Parliament in 1997, following a two- established a year after the 2007 in jails, increasing suicide rates, social year national inquiry. It was the fi rst to Apology to members of the Stolen problems like substance abuse and extensively document the experiences Generations to help address the domestic violence and the ongoing of Stolen Generations and the ongoing ongoing trauma, takes a leading removal of children from their families impact in Aboriginal and Torres Strait role in encouraging all Australians through protection orders.” Islander communities. to commemorate the Report’s Research commissioned by the 20th anniversary. The Report’s 54 comprehensive Healing Foundation has begun to recommendations included the CEO Richard Weston says it’s an measure the impact of unresolved need for an Apology to the Stolen opportunity to focus on the critical trauma. It has found that people with Generations and provision of services work that still needs to be done to parents, grandparents and great to create healing and wellbeing for help heal the trauma caused by the grandparents who were taken, are those aff ected. forced removal of children from their 50 per cent more likely to be charged families and to help create a diff erent by police. While 11 years would pass before future for everyone. those two recommendations were “When you consider this statistic in the fulfi lled, the majority of the Report’s “Failure to act in the past has caused context that every Aboriginal or Torres other recommendations have still not added distress for many Stolen Strait lslander person living today has been implemented. Generations members and created a been aff ected in some way by Stolen ripple eff ect into current generations,” Generations, it creates a frightening said Mr Weston. picture for our future. Issue No 37 / May 2017 21

Coota Girls with Archie Roach at the Healing Foundation’s 2016 Apology event in Sydney (photo by Julia Charles).

“This anniversary isn’t just about in our history, but also celebrate were denied love and parenting, refl ecting on the past, it’s also about the great examples of survival and suff ered abuse and lost connection building momentum for ongoing strength,” Mr Weston said. with family and culture as a result of change and the sustainable framework their institutionalisation. “Commemoration is an important part we need to properly address the of the healing process for members To fi nd out more about the underlying cause of today’s major of the Stolen Generations, their commemorative activities social and health issues. descendants and all Australians. being held during May, and the “We need to remove the barriers broader work of the Healing “Two decades on, there are children to healing, such as ongoing social Foundation, visit their website at within Aboriginal communities who exclusion, and underpin the services healingfoundation.org.au. don’t understand their own link with provided to Aboriginal and Torres Stolen Generations and many people Strait Islanders with a trauma-informed in the broader community who have workforce.” About the Healing little knowledge of the circumstances Foundation The Healing Foundation has and ongoing impacts. commissioned a review of the Bringing The Healing Foundation is a “Educational and cultural activities will Them Home Report to establish the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait bring these people together to focus key priorities for moving forward. It will Islander organisation that partners on sharing the truth of our history be released closer to the anniversary, with communities to address the and how we can continue to heal along with school, community and ongoing trauma caused by actions together.” government initiatives designed to like the forced removal of children create greater awareness and a better Activities will include poetry readings from their families. It supports understanding within the broader from Stolen Generations members, art people to better understand Australian community. activities and displays, youth forums their trauma and works with and smoking ceremonies. communities to lead their own In the meantime, more than 40 grants healing solutions. have been awarded to schools, Two local events will continue to councils, community organisations document the story of large institutions Since the Healing Foundation was and juvenile justice centres enabling that housed Stolen Generations created in 2009, it has assisted them to host commemorative events children – the Cootamundra Aboriginal more than 40,000 Aboriginal and across the country. Girls Training Home and Kinchela Torres Strait Islander people in their Boys Home. own individual healing journeys, “Every event will provide an funded 160 community based opportunity for Stolen Generations Community groups in these areas projects and established a large members to tell their story, allowing have joined forces to build awareness body of research and evidence to us to acknowledge this tragic chapter about the hundreds of children who underpin future work. 22 Issue No 37 / May 2017

ABORIGINAL IDENTITY IN MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA

by Robert Beattie For the fi rst half of the 20th century, For those confi ned to living on a the White Australia policy was the mission, the assimilation policy also Australia prides itself political blueprint for immigration and involved the banning of ceremonies, in being the most largely dictated who could settle in speaking in local languages and the successful multicultural this country. Those who did come freedom to freely move about. were expected to fi t in or, to use the And the grief endured by families nation in the world and offi cial term, ‘assimilate’. For migrants, whose children were removed is how for the most part that meant forsaking elements of their incalculable and still felt today. we all happily coexist in former cultures as they adapted to their new surroundings. this great land. After World War II, the Australian social makeup began to change dramatically. But for the First Australians the The war had made people wary When we hear multiculturalism talked struggle has never been about ‘fi tting of racist views and shiploads of about, the conversation usually in’. It’s always been about the pursuit European migrants had begun arriving focuses on the enormous contribution of justice, land rights and self- on our shores. Signifi cantly, Australia’s of the more than seven million determination – having the sovereign largest ever engineering project was migrants who have made their home right to govern themselves. also about to have a major impact. here since 1945. Having occupied the land for tens It’s widely acknowledged that the However, that focus does tend to of thousands of years prior to 1788, Snowy Mountains Scheme which mask the place of Aboriginal and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander began in 1949 marked the birth of Torres Strait Islander Australians, people have long maintained a multiculturalism in Australia. The the First Peoples in Australia’s physical and spiritual affi nity with workforce over the 25 years of multicultural society. their homelands and a deep-rooted construction exceeded 100,000 connection to their heritage and people, 70 per cent of whom were Scholars and researchers have long identity. acknowledged that there are tensions migrant workers from 30 countries. surrounding Indigenous peoples In the 1930s and 1940s, when In more ways than one it was indeed and multiculturalism that stem from Australia saw an increase in new a nation-building project…but not for complications in placing Aboriginal arrivals following WWI, Aboriginal the Aboriginal nations. and Torres Strait Islander identities Australians had already suff ered Throughout the 1950s and 1960s within the cultural melting pot. Such an 150 years of racism, oppression and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approach overlooks the unique identity discrimination. Unlike the carefully people continued to press for equality, and rights of Indigenous peoples by selected new migrants, they were recognition and land rights. Their reducing them ‘to the status of just denied such basic freedoms as prolonged campaign culminated another ethnic group’. citizenship, the right to vote, or even spectacularly in the 1967 referendum the right to choose where they lived. when more than 90 per cent of the Issue No 37 / May 2017 23

It goes without saying that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are intrinsic to Australia’s multicultural mix.

Australian voting public agreed that The Apology to the Stolen Generations the right balance between freedom the Commonwealth would have the in 2008 was a symbolic moment in of speech and the need to protect power to implement laws for the time and added renewed impetus to against racial vilifi cation. benefi t of Aboriginal people and for the reconciliation movement. Now, In a country that prides itself on its Aboriginal people to be included in nine years later, the next step is multicultural makeup and is genuine the census. recognition of the First Australians in about making amends with its the Constitution. And beyond that, Indigenous peoples, one would expect It was a watershed moment and agreement on a compact or treaty. the enormous goodwill shown by that the protection of Aboriginal and the vote was a positive step in the In the meantime, there is still much to Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights reconciliation journey. be vigilant about. and sensibilities would be paramount.

But change comes slowly and it The constant rumblings about It just may be that shared experiences would be another quarter of a century changes to the Racial Discrimination of racism and cultural insensitivity before the High Court would refute the Act (RDA) do not bode well. will suffi ciently unite Indigenous and concept of terra nullius and recognise Should section 18c of the RDA be migrant Australians to thwart any that Aboriginal and Torres Strait weakened, the protection against threat to their existing rights and Islander peoples had rights to the acts that are likely to ‘off end, insult, protections. Time will tell. land they had continuously occupied humiliate or intimidate’ on the basis of It goes without saying that Aboriginal for so many thousands of years. As a race will be erased. and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consequence of its landmark fi nding in Most aff ected would be Aboriginal and intrinsic to Australia’s multicultural mix. the Mabo judgement, the Native Title Torres Strait Islander peoples along Along with the millions of migrants Act was passed in 1993. with people of ethnic appearance, who now call Australia home, they In the meantime, the wave of refugee particularly Australians of Middle are part of our diverse and dynamic migrants from Vietnam who had Eastern backgrounds. population. settled here in the late 1970s and All Australians, but particularly At the same time, they are the First 1980s had added another distinctive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and their indigeneity layer to Australia’s multicultural mix. peoples and recent migrants, confers a unique status that forever By the turn of the 21st century with are entitled to eff ective legislative sets them apart. Australia’s migrant intake continuing protections against racial vilifi cation. That is the diff erence. to power along, Aboriginal and Torres Reconciliation Australia agrees with Strait Islander peoples were still Race Discrimination Commissioner seeking the same things – justice, Dr Tim Soutphommasane who equality and self-determination – not says that the current provisions of to mention vastly better health and the Racial Discrimination Act strike education outcomes. Referendum 1967 Mabo 1992 Apology 2008 Recognition

We need to take the next step on this journey.

It’s 50 years since Australians voted overwhelmingly in favour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and set out on the road to reconciliation. The 1967 Referendum was an historic moment where Australians stood together to bring about change. Now it’s our generation’s turn. We need to change our Constitution to remove racism and recognise the 50,000+ year history of the First Peoples. If you’d like to join the 300,000 Australians who are already on this important journey you can sign up or volunteer by visiting recognise.org.au