National Reconciliation Week – ASRC Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week – a time to strengthen our understanding of First Nations cultures and take affirmative action toward true reconciliation.

The theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week is More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.

As part of our deep commitment to taking action to end systemic racism and advance reconciliation, the ASRC is proud to have recently submitted our first Reconciliation Action Plan to Reconciliation Australia. 

We recognise the importance of action in creating systemic change and join the fight for justice for and with First Nations people. 

Our vision is that all Australians, First Nations people and those who have come here seeking asylum, can live safely, sustainably, independently and equally and our RAP formalises our deep commitment to closing the disparity between First Nations people and the wider community and ending the institutional racism that prevents people from determining and creating their own future. 

As an organisation we acknowledge First Nations people’s unceded sovereignty and recognise and celebrate their continuing connections to land, waters, community, culture and customs. In committing to a RAP we understand the role we must play in promoting and supporting meaningful reconciliation in all of our work.

To date the ASRC’s reconciliation journey has included support of the Uluru Statement and integrating an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of every meeting and respectfully facilitating Indigenous Elders to attend events and to provide Welcome to Country, compensating them for their time and service.

In 2018, Staff overwhelmingly agreed that the ASRC will no longer recognise 26 January as a public holiday – our doors remain open on this day and we observe the public holiday during National Reconciliation Week instead. 

To ensure that indigenous members of staff at the ASRC are able to connect with culture, land and community we provide access to an additional week of ceremonial leave.

We use our social media platforms to promote Indigenous activism including supporting the ‘Change the Date’ campaign and promoting National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and commit to continue this activism into the future.

Our ongoing aim is to develop strong relationships with First Nations People and Indigenous organisations based on mutual respect, understanding and affirmative action.

We are excited to continue to expand and deepen our understanding and commitment to reconciliation in our journey ahead. For more information on reconciliation action visit reconciliation.org.au/