Reconciliation

"Uniting Australia."
- Matthew, Geologist

"Making peace with the Aboriginals over the past."
- Daniel, 16-year-old

"Reconciliation means being friends, understanding each other, and listening to each other."
- Harry, Northbridge

"Reconciliation is about the community coming together to understand and accept each other's culture, history and lifestyle. Not only Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people but from within the Aboriginal community itself. We have such a rich and sacred culture so let's not ruin it with feuding, get over our differences and band together to showcase our beautiful culture, families and future."
- Deanne, Coordinator

"People accepting each other regardless of race or religion."
- Sam, Actor

"Healing, respect and acknowledgment."
- Amanda, Student

"Looking past differences to work together toward a common goal."
- Lauren, HR Officer

"Recognition, acceptance and understanding of the past and a willingness by all Australians to move forward together."
- Nikkie Bell, Public Servant

"When Aboriginal people are treated equally, including jobs, education and hospitals."
- Doolann-Leisha, Elder

"Coming together and forgiving each other."
- Tamara, Service Assistant

"Forgetting the stereotypes and having Indigenous and non-Indigenous people coming together for equality."
- Marissa, Public Servant

"Reconciliation is a way of life."
- Michelle, Manager

"There has been a start and shows signs of improvement."
- Wally, Community Worker

"Reaching beyond the differences to our similarities - we share the same country, the same work and we have humanity in common to mention a few."
- Morgan, Senior Officer

"It means I expect the government to properly resource agencies to address the huge disadvantage facing aboriginal people."
- Anonymous

"It's about recognising the traditional owners of this great land - it should be embraced and embedded and then only remembered in the hope that such a term is never needed again."
- Anonymous

"A meeting of minds and a meeting of spirit. Acceptance and moving forward towards a common goal."
- Jane, Public Servant

"Truth, acknowledgment, empathy, hope, community, working together, friendship."
- Thea, Executive Assistant

"Accepting people's differences and most importantly recognising not only the heritage of this country but your own as well."
- Amy, Performing Arts

"Removing fear and uncertainty that divides us - nurturing trust, listening and openness to one another."
- Carmen, Research Officer

"Reconciliation is about recognising and appreciating Australia's rich Indigenous heritage, culture and history. It is also about coming together in unity to move forward into the future."
- Narelle, Public Servant

"To never make people sad or put down down. Forgive. Create harmony. Make peace. Be respectful and kind."
- Madison, Year 5

"To say hello with a big grin, take kids out for a play, help them throw their hurts away, put doubts in the bin, start to act nicely and treat them as kin."
- Dominique, Year 4

"Making other people happier in life will also make you more joyful."
- Catherine, Year 4

"To come together and learn the forgotten stories and culture that haven't been heard for a long time."
- Gareth, Year 4

"Gardia (white) people to understand black fella way, and black fella to understand gardia way."
- Sonya, Year 6

"Forgiving and loving people from other races. Reconciliation is like opening the door to your heart. You make peace and harmony with people and it makes you and them feel better."
- Taylor, Year 6

"I hope we get our laws back... like women's laws."
- Brentisha, Year 4

"Understanding and sharing."
- Karen

"Recognition of differences and appreciation of different cultures to appreciate and understand each other."
- Christine, Research Officer

"It is about acknowledging past wrongs and working together to right them."
- Simon, Research Officer

"Reunion."
- Ai, IT Consultant

"We're all born equal. There should not be any division. Say sorry - follow up with positive action."
- Gerri, Admin Assistant

"Caring for, and about, each other."
- Dan, Public Servant

"It's about working together, as one, to build a better future for future generations."
- Mandi, Research Officer

"Equality. We are all human colour. It doesn't matter."
- Olivia, Business Admin Trainee

"Recognising the rights and interests of Aboriginal people in relation to their lands."
- Jacqueline, Manager

"Understanding and appreciating each other."
- Jennifer, Consultant

"It means to respect everyone."
- Tia, Student

"It's about acknowledging the past and building a new future together."
- Ursula, Economist

"Like John Lennon said: Imagine all the people living in peace."
- Patricia, IT Contractor

"It's about recognising the traditional owners of this great land - it should be embraced and embedded and then only remembered in the hope that such a term is never needed again."
- Anonymous

"Everyone having the same opportunities."
- Sarah, Researcher

"I cannot reconcile with a person (or whole race) that I have not fallen out with. The whole reconciliation is doomed."
- Keith, Milkman

 

• PALS - Click to find out more about the DIA's schools Reconciliation (Partnerships, Acceptance, Learning, Sharing) program
• Reconciliation Grants - Find out more about Reconciliation projects funded by the DIA