The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, which published its final report in April 1991, had recommended the initiation of a process reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. On 2 September 1991, the Australian Parliament voted unanimously to establish the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and a formal reconciliation process. Parliament had noted that there had been no formal process of reconciliation and that it was “most desirable that there be such a reconciliation” by the year 2001, marking the centenary of Federation. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established by Parliament, by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991, to be disbanded after 10 years. The CAR’s vision statement aimed for “A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all”. Patrick Dodson was the first Chair of CAR. Reconciliation Australia was established by the CAR in January 2001. The Hon Fred ChaneyAO was one of the founding co-chairs, and served for nearly 15 years on the Board until his retirement in November 2014.
In 2006 Prime Minister John Howard and Professor Mick Dodson launched the Reconciliation Action Plan program, which was to be administered by Reconciliation Australia. Through the program, organisations develop a business plan that documents the actions they will take to contribute to reconciliation in Australia. The practical steps outlined in the RAP aim to help to build strong relationships and enhanced respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Community programs, Indigenous employment, and procurement from certified Indigenous businesses are examples of the kinds of actions businesses can take in their RAP.
Description
Reconciliation Australia is funded from corporate and government partnerships as well as tax-deductible donations from individual Australians. The organisation works with business, government and individual Australians to bring about change, identifying and promoting examples of reconciliation in action. Reconciliation Australia also independently monitors Australia's progress towards reconciliation.
Sharon Davis, Bardi and Kija woman, Team Leader for Aboriginal Education at Catholic Education Western Australia, and Trustee of the Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation.
Executive
Karen Mundine, Chief Executive Officer, on the Boards of the Mary Mackillop Foundation and the Gondwana Children's Choirs which includes the Gondwana Indigenous Children's Choir.
