Reconciliation Statement
The University of Adelaide has a mission to advance knowledge, understanding
and culture. It commits itself to pursue this mission in the context of a
vision of a united Australia, which respects its land, provides justice and
equity for all its people, and values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
heritage.
Accordingly, the University of Adelaide affirms a commitment to an informed
respect for the Indigenous peoples of Australia, their rich culture and the
unique importance of land and waters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities. We recognise this land and its waters were colonised without
treaties or consent.
The University acknowledges that the Kaurna People are the original inhabitants
of the land where the first campus of the University was built and further
recognises that the colonisation of Australia in the past two centuries has
led to the dispossession, alienation and impoverishment of the Indigenous
peoples. We acknowledge that Australian Indigenous peoples continue to face
social and economic disadvantage, accentuated by prejudice and racism and
that the forced separation of children from their families continues to have
a profound impact on Indigenous communities.
The University of Adelaide is deeply sorry for all these injustices.
The University of Adelaide values the presence of Indigenous peoples from
across Australia as part of its community. In pursuing our educational mission
we are dedicated to the principles of social justice. We will act in consultation
with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to ensure that prejudice,
racism and harassment in any form are not experienced in this community.
Education is one way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
to overcome the disadvantages they experience, and we are committed to playing
a role in that process.
In particular, the University of Adelaide commits itself to the following:
- promoting an understanding of Indigenous issues, culture and history
in programs and courses;
- directing strategies toward the increased participation of Indigenous
peoples as students and staff in the full range of university activities;
and
- contributing to the process of reconciliation by educating the Australian
community about the cultures, languages, history and contemporary experiences
of Australia's Indigenous peoples.
The University of Adelaide is committed to the process of reconciliation
and the elimination of injustice and disadvantage in respect of the rights
of Australia's Indigenous peoples and to their self-determination within
the life of the nation.
Signed on 8th July 2003
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Professor James McWha
Vice-Chancellor, The University of Adelaide |
Mr Lewis O'Brien
Kaurna Elder |
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Mr Roger Thomas
Director, Centre for Australian Indigenous Research & Studies Wilto Yerlo/CASM |
Ms Shirley Peisley AM
Co-Chair Reconciliation SA |
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The Honourable Justice E P Mullighan
Co-Chair Reconciliation SA |
The Honourable Terry Roberts MLC
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation |
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