The
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation first met in 1992 to build
bridges for a better understanding between Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community.
The Council, which was set up by the Federal Parliament has
25 members - 12 are Aboriginal, two are Torres Strait Islanders
and 11 are from the wider community. All major political groups
are represented on the Council which has adopted the following
as its vision: 'A united Australia which respects this land
of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage;
and provides justice and equity for all.' The Council believes
that eight issues are an essential part of the reconciliation
process.
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Aboriginal
Reconciliation involves 8 Key Iissues that need to be addressed:
1) Land and Seas, understanding the country-the importance
of land and sea in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies,
2) Improving relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples and the wider Australian community,
3) Valuing cultures,
4) Sharing histories,
5) Addressing disadvantage,
6) Custody levels of indigenous people,
7) Greater opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples to control their destinies
8)
Formal agreement on whether the process of reconciliation
would be advanced by a document or documents of reconciliation.(Council
for Aboriginal Reconciliation 1999)
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