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This week is Reconciliation Week in Australia.
It is a time, but not the only one, to come to terms with the ongoing impact of European Colonisation on First Nations peoples, to have true understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their traditional ownership of this land and unique heritage and culture.
In saying this, VAHPA acknowledges that we work, organise and advocate on stolen Aboriginal land.
We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our office is located. We pay our respects to the Kulin people and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. This land was never ceded. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Reconciliation is about coming together, to tell the truth about the past, to heal, to give up the power of position and find an united way forward from racial discrimination, political marginalisation and economic injustice.
This week is time to reflect on the landmark 1967 anti-discrimination referendum and the High Court Mabo decision that started to reshape the political debate about race in Australia, with so much more to be done to redress the past and current wrongs and seek justice and real opportunity for indigenous communities.
VAHPA recently announced the establishment of an independent First Nations Working Group of indigenous members, to lead and represent our First Nations membership, advocate for your interests within our union and define VAHPA positions on issues of social and political importance to our Indigenous communities.
If you would like to be involved – either as a member of the Working Group, or simply to keep up to date with its progress – please get in touch, so that we can maintain a contact list, and build our understanding, strength and capacity to fight in solidarity with First Nations peoples.