Today we mark the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, kicking off the start of Reconciliation Week, an important time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories and progress to reconciliation. It is fitting, then, that today marks the culmination of the National Walk for Truth led by Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, Travis Lovett.
I stand in solidarity and allyship with Trav – and the many supporters of the Walk for Truth across the country – in the delivery of his important message about truth, healing and justice.
The values of the University of Canberra (UC) are reflected in the Walk for Truth cause, and we are proud to be supporters of Trav in his journey.
For too long the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been missing from the dialogue around the issues that affect First Peoples and their communities, as well as from the broader narrative around our nation’s history and our cultural, social and political identity.
This silencing of Indigenous voices strips First Peoples of their sovereignty and their right to self-determination. For our nation to heal and move forward in unity and respect, we must recognise the truth of our collective history, including the violence, dispossession and dark chapters of the past.
However, united as a people we can build a more positive future for the generations to come, one that recognises and celebrates the richness of our First Nations history and wisdom for the benefit of all people.
I am pleased to be the Vice-Chancellor of UC, an institution deeply committed to the advancement and sharing of Indigenous knowledge and ways of learning. We aspire to chart a new path to reconciliation and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Our Outside-In approach, as articulated in the UC Indigenous Leadership Strategy, is a demonstration of the way in which we listen to and walk with Indigenous people to shape our future – both for UC and our broader community.
As our Strategy notes, ‘We cannot achieve transformative change – and we cannot expect to unlock the riches of Indigenous cultures and knowledges for the benefit of all – if we do not recognise and enlist both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to achieve its goals. We all bear responsibility to contribute to change – and we all stand to benefit from the outcomes'.
I look forward to working with Trav and creating an ongoing dialogue with UC about the ways in which universities can better engage in truth-telling and reconciliation.
Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten
