Early Childhood Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original inhabitants of Australia and recognises their culture as part of the cultural heritage of all Australians.We acknowledge and regret the loss of family, cultural identity, lands and waters, languages and communities by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that resulted from the invasion of Australia by peoples from other places. In particular we acknowledge the findings and support the recommendations of Bringing Them Home, the report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission Inquiry into the Stolen Generation. We are sorry for the ongoing suffering, loss and continued hardships faced by Indigenous children, families and communities today.
We are committed to reconciliation, and recognise: - the significance of the home cultures of Indigenous children to their identity and sense of self worth;
- the need for communities, environments, services and interactions to positively reflect and promote these identities and cultures and to support their growth in new generations of Indigenous children; and
- the importance of all Australians knowing and understanding the histories and current realities of Indigenous people, and the need for all Australian children to grow up in a society that acknowledges and addresses this past and present.
To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, Early Childhood Australia will: - actively seek involvement of Indigenous people in all aspects of Early Childhood Australia activities, by developing reciprocal links with Indigenous organisations with a commitment to work together on advocacy and action around issues including young children and their families; and
- actively challenge insensitive and biased attitudes, practices and behaviours. This may mean:
- ensuring that current and future practices, publications and policies throughout the organisation are respectful of Indigenous cultures, acknowledge current realities, and are proactive in supporting and acknowledging the many examples of community resilience;
- including social justice and reconciliation issues in Early Childhood Australia's media campaigns and by public comment on relevant issues and events; and
- sponsoring awareness-raising activities such as reading groups, guest speakers, research reviews, professional development training and newsletter articles.
It may also involve other responses and activities of local relevance, including that each Early Childhood Australia branch actively seek and disperse information relevant to its local Indigenous histories to inform practice and understanding. Early Childhood Australia will actively promote this commitment to all Early Childhood Australia members in all branches around Australia and encourage them to fulfil it. The need for this is clearly underpinned by the overwhelming evidence that Indigenous children continue to be less healthy and have less positive life chances than other Australian children. This situation, noted at local, national and international levels, needs urgent attention. Strategies implemented to date have mostly failed to make substantive changes to the outcome for these children and this impacts on our collective capacity to uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and nurture the wellbeing of all children.
This Statement of respect and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Early Childhood Australia draws attention to this Statement of respect and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and in doing so urges those committed to these ideals to translate these words into action. Prescribed actions are difficult to articulate and often mean local insights are overlooked.Early Childhood Australia suggests that consideration be focused on the following: - Building relationships - this will take time, often many, many years, and a strong commitment to persevere despite, at times, substantial difficulties.
- Seeking local answers. What will work in one community may not work in another. Have conversations and make connections with local Indigenous people to develop respectful ways of learning and working together.
- Making the effort to act with integrity and in collaboration is better than doing nothing. Decisions are not always easily made nor directions clear but all actions are learning opportunities.
- The process is just as important as the action. All actions must be undertaken with respect, patience and humility.
- Taking time to listen. Listening is often more important than talking.
Invitation for Early Childhood Australia branch action - Find out who the traditional owners are in your local area.
- Find out about significant events in Indigenous history - locally and nationally.
- Promote achievements and celebrate outstanding work that supports the wellbeing of Indigenous children and their families.
- Publicly and accurately acknowledge landowners at appropriate Early Childhood Australia gatherings.
- Invite traditional owners or their delegates to do 'Welcome to Country' at Early Childhood Australia formal gatherings. (Remember that this is not to be undertaken by others.)
- Increasing awareness of the issues for Indigenous children and their families.
- Share this information with your members.
- Place web links on branch sites.
Having committed to this statement, we will review our action and celebrate our achievement at each Early Childhood Australia National Council meeting. Passed at Early Childhood Australia National Council, October 2004.
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