All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.

Goal: Positive two-way relationships built on trust and respect exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians throughout society.

Action: Overcome racism

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in a range of life opportunities and the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.

Goal:  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians participate equally and equitably in all areas of life—i.e. we have closed the gaps in life outcomes—and the distinctive individual and collective rights and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are universally recognised and respected.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are self-determining.

Action: Renew focus on Closing the Gap

Workplaces

A RAP is a strategic document that supports an organisation’s business plan. It includes practical actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which it operates.

The RAP Program contributes to advancing the five dimensions of reconciliation by supporting organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Each of the four RAP types (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, Elevate) set out the minimum elements required from your organisation to build strong relationships, respect and opportunities within your organisation and community.

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Schools and Early Learning Services

Schools and early learning services can develop a RAP through Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education.

Narragunnawali supports 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 Narragunnawali platform is free to access and hosts a wealth of professional learning and curriculum resources to support the development, implementation and management of RAPs in schools and early learning services.

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A Welcome to Country is a traditional ceremony given by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders. Welcomes are also performed by Traditional owners that elders have given permission to. This is a tradition that has been practiced in Aboriginal culture for thousands of years.

It is given to open proceedings at an event by welcoming you, your organisation and visitors to Country.

Australia is made up of many different tribes with different land areas. In the old days, tribes that wanted to pass through another tribe’s country needed permission to do so and had to be welcomed through. It may involve stories, dance, song, a smoking ceremony or other activities.

See also:
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Land: the what, why, when and how.
What is the difference between a Welcome To Country and an Acknowledgement of Land
(Lindsay Stanford, Blakworks)

Acknowledgement of Land
An Acknowledgement of Land (or Acknowledgement of Country) serves the same purpose as a Welcome; to introduce and recognise the land and tradition, except in the case of an Acknowledgement, you are acknowledging Aboriginal people, Traditional Custodians and the land, rather than welcoming people to it. And, an Acknowledgement of Country can be given by any person, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal.

Source: What is the difference between a Welcome To Country and an Acknowledgement of Land (Lindsay Stanford, Blakworks)

“It’s very much up to the discretion of the person doing it, it needs to be earnest, more than anything else.” (Scott Kneebone)

As well as spoken Acknowledgements of Country at events or gatherings, they can also be written and be part of email signatures, featured on websites and signs at the entrances of businesses and homes.

So, how can you write a good Acknowledgment of Country?

• Find out whose land you’re on. Do your research and be specific.
• Show respect. Be earnest and genuine.
• Adapt to suit your context. It’s easy to download an already scripted acknowledgment, try to write one in your voice.
• Be confident. Speak with purpose.
• Avoid using past tense. We are still here.
• Use correct terminology. Don’t use ‘Aborigines’. It is a derogatory word.
• Breathe. Take your time.

An invitation to understand country

Indigenous people often talk about the importance of country. But what does it mean?

The idea that humans are part of the environment, and the wellbeing of one depends on the other, is a recurring theme – everything is connected and needs respect — not just humans, animals, trees and rocks — but land and sky, and past and present.

Jamie* talks about how his ancestors were often cremated within the “big scar” trees in the forest, releasing their spirits to the country and more.

“Their very physical being would be taken up by these trees,” he says.

“So, when we smoke them, I’m physically and spiritually introducing you to those Old People.”

By Anna Salleh | ABC Science

* Jamie Graham-Blair, a trawlwoolway pakana man(Tasmania).

The Killing Times

This is a map of sites where violence occurred on the Australian frontier.

This site does not contain images of people who have died. However, the historical records reproduced here use archaic terms that are racist and offensive, and the themes and content within will be distressing to many people. Discretion is advised.

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Source
The Guardian

Freeing the Aboriginal flag

How a ‘uniting symbol’ ended up in the hands of the few
The Aboriginal flag is a powerful symbol that has come to mean many things to many people. Since its creation in 1971, it has appeared on everything from jumbo jets to tattoos.

So who “owns” the flag? Who has the right to reproduce it, and why is there such a battle over these issues today? The article’s a summary of how we got here.
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Source: The Guardian

How to listen and learn from Indigenous children in order to help them

At the time of filming In My Blood It Runs, Dujuan Hoosan was just 10 years old, but he could see how the education system did not value his cultural knowledge.

Dujuan is a proud Arrernte and Garrwa boy who lives in Hidden Valley town camp in Alice Springs. He also has healing powers; a gift his grandfather passed on to him.

“It’s my job to look after the people,” he says in the film.

In one scene, his aunt asks him to heal her while she is in a hospital bed with a leg wound.

But we also see Dujuan struggle with school attendance — a challenge many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children face across the county.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that primary school attendance rates for Indigenous students “did not improve between 2014 and 2018 and they remained below the rate for non-Indigenous students”.

By following Dujuan we can learn why this is a challenge for young Indigenous kids and Indigenous families.  Read More / Watch Trailer

Source: ABC News

Aboriginal underwater archaeological sites discovered

Scientists have discovered Australia’s first ever ancient Aboriginal underwater archaeological sites, settled on the sea bed for thousands of years.

Hidden relics, including hundreds of stone tools and grinding stones, have been found at two sites off Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region, close to the Burrup Peninsula which is renowned for its ancient rock engravings.

“For me, this is the find of a lifetime,” said lead archaeologist Associate Professor Jonathan Benjamin from Flinders University. Read More

Source: ABC News