2021 RECONCILIATION WEEK STATEMENT More than a word: Reconciliation takes action
Reconciliation requires action from all Australians! This year’s Reconciliation Week urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
A reconciled nation is where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have full control over our own destinies; where we live freely and equally, unencumbered by trauma and poor life outcomes; and where there is true recognition of our rights as First Peoples of this land, and our cultures and languages are honoured, protected and flourish.
The historic Partnership and National Agreements on Closing the Gap provide a framework for all governments, policy makers, service delivery organisations and institutions, and all Australians, to take meaningful and impactful action towards reconciliation.
They are centered on what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been saying for decades is needed to achieve equality in life outcomes between our peoples and other Australians, whilst strengthening our right to self-determination and identity as First Nations peoples.
The National Agreement is built around four Priority Reforms that will support lasting change for our peoples.
They are: building new partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations and governments to share in decisions that impact on our lives; strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to deliver services and programs to our peoples; transforming government agencies, institutions and organisations to address systemic racism and make them more accountable to our peoples; and improving the sharing of data and information with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations so we can make more informed decisions about our future.
The foundations have been set to improve the life outcomes of our peoples. Governments, policy makers, service delivery providers and organisations and all Australians need to transform the way they engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples centered on the Priority Reforms.
This year’s Reconciliation Week is a chance to take action and do your part to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the Priority Reforms and contribute to a more reconciled nation!
The Coalition of Peaks challenge every Australian on this Reconciliation journey to action
Become familiar and learn about both the Partnership and National Agreements
Support their implementation and promote them in your own organisation or business
Encourage your community to become involved
Talk to governments on how to apply the commitments under the Agreements to communities and organisations across the country
Make sure our precious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled media sector is involved in all communications about the agreements.
About the Coalition of Peaks – The Coalition of Peaks is a representative body of over fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak organisations and members. The Coalition of Peaks came together on their own as an act of self-determination to be formal partners with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Members are either national, state or territory wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak bodies including certain independent statutory authorities. Their governing boards are elected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and / or organisations. For more information on the Coalition of Peaks and to sign up for our mailing list, go to: www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au