Equal Voice’s Post

Prioritize Indigenous prosperity to promote economic independence, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities. By focusing on Indigenous prosperity, we can address socioeconomic disparities, foster reconciliation, and create sustainable development for a brighter future. Take action today to support Indigenous businesses and initiatives, and be a part of building a more inclusive and equitable society. Together, we can make a difference! #IndigenousProsperity #SupportCommunities #TakeAction

Today, January 26, I’m on Wurundjeri country in Melbourne, reflecting on what it means to be Australian.   To me, the best of Australia is its egalitarianism, where status doesn’t matter but a fair go does. Where people choose unity over division and where we feel connected to one another because we have shared values and many things in common.   It’s a place where people have a way of plain-speaking, of telling it like it is.   So it’s my sincere hope that on this day, we can come together as a nation to learn about and recognise the truth of our shared history and reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation with First Nations peoples.   As a British migrant, I came to this land and became a citizen. I remain a committed citizen, and so today brings complicated feelings.   Like all of us, I’m still learning about our history – I’ll never stop. But there are some things I know and feel are important to acknowledge.   I want to acknowledge the truth that the deep trauma of this day is not buried in history, but echoes through generations and shows up, today and every day, in the lives of many First Nations peoples.   The truth that dispossession, colonisation and racism continue, still now, to deny many First Nations peoples the connections to land, culture and kinship that are foundational to their social and emotional wellbeing.   And I want to acknowledge the truth that the Voice referendum outcome, in denying First Nations peoples a say in the matters that shape their lives, does nothing to close the gap in mental health outcomes for First Nations peoples, who are nearly three times more likely to be psychologically distressed and whose suicide rate is twice that of non-First Nations people.   It is my hope that we can overcome the injustices of the past by taking the lead of First Nations peoples and holding fast to the cause of reconciliation with open minds and hearts.   I believe that despite last year’s setback, we can and must continue to walk with First Nations peoples down a path of healing, towards a better future for everyone.   I say this not to blame or incite shame or division – accepting the truth of our history does not make us less Australian. Indeed, I believe our national character will be stronger for it.

Promoting economic independence, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering communities - this is the essence of Indigenous prosperity. By prioritizing the growth and success of Indigenous businesses and initiatives, we can address socioeconomic disparities, foster reconciliation, and create sustainable development. Join us in taking action today to support Indigenous prosperity. When we uplift Indigenous communities, we build a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Together, we can make a difference! #IndigenousProsperity #SupportCommunities #TakeAction

Today marks a significant milestone as CARE, in collaboration with local civil society organisations, Mane Ho Vizaun Foun (Men With New Vision) and Movimento Feto Foin Sa’e (MOFFE), sign a five-month partnership agreement with funding from the Australia Non-Governmental Cooperation Program (ANCP). 🥳 This pioneering program marks a paradigm shift in CARE's approach, embracing equitable partnership as the cornerstone of its engagement with local civil society organisations. Adopting the principles of equitable partnership empowers national and local actors to spearhead development initiatives, leveraging their inherent strengths, leadership, and contextual insights to tackle local development challenges effectively and achieve tangible outcomes. Under this program, Mane ho Vizaun Foun and MOFFE will bolster women’s economic justice and will have the opportunity to allocate funds to strengthen their institutional capacities in identified areas. Read here to find out more about this initiative: https://lnkd.in/gMwgQe-N CARE Australia

Australia, with its ancient, wide open landscapes and contemporary vibrant multicultural society, is a nation with a complex but often times dark and rarely openly recalled history. Beneath its bright, modern facade lies a legacy of profound injustice and trauma inflicted upon its Indigenous peoples. Despite strides toward reconciliation and acknowledgment, the harsh reality remains: little has changed for Indigenous Australians. The scars of past policies and practices continue to haunt Indigenous communities, casting a long and dark shadow over their present and their future. Just take a brief scroll through the latest Closing the Gap report The trauma inflicted by centuries of colonization, dispossession, and forced assimilation policies has left an indelible imprint on Indigenous Australians. This trauma reverberates through generations, manifesting in profound ways. Generational trauma, stemming from the systematic destruction of Indigenous cultures and communities, has resulted in a legacy of pain and suffering passed down from one generation to the next. Lost languages lost cultural practices and knowledge and lost generations. Today, the consequences of this historical trauma are plainly evident in the disproportionate social and economic inequity experienced by Indigenous Australians. From inadequate access to housing, healthcare and education to higher rates of incarceration and unemployment, Indigenous communities continue to face systemic barriers that perpetuate their marginalization and disadvantage. The ongoing marginalization of Indigenous Australians is not merely a historical relic but a present-day reality rooted in deeply entrenched structural inequalities. Despite efforts to address these issues, progress has been slow, and the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains huge. Addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of historical trauma, systemic inequality, and social marginalization. It demands genuine commitment from governments, institutions, and society as a whole to confront the injustices of the past and work toward a more equitable future. As we reflect on Australia's past and present, don’t turn a blind eye to the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Australians. It is only through truth telling, acknowledgment, understanding, and meaningful action that we can begin to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate this marginalization and create a more fair and inclusive society for all.

We're really excited for this next week. Our joint report with Changing Lives, #DismantlingDisadvantage, reveals the immense cost of how public services are failing women with multiple unmet needs in the North East. Repeated failings are leading women in the region to be 1.7x more likely to die early as a result of suicide, addiction, or domestic violence. This must urgently change: #DismantlingDisadvantage outlines 5 key recommendations for what can be done to level up public services for women. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ewnZXXX8 #multipleunmetneeds #multipledisadvantage #womenandgirls #levellingup #publicservices #VAWG #suicide #substanceuse

This week marks the beginning of #NationalReconciliationWeek2024 in Australia. This is a time to reflect on the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. CELOTTI WORKFORCE acknowledges that reconciliation is an ongoing journey requiring action, commitment, and mutual respect. We recognise our responsibility to build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, cultures, and futures. We are proud to highlight our strong partnership with TRACKS Integrated Services who have supported CELOTTI WORKFORCE to develop and implement our first 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan (#RAP). Together, we strive to make tangible progress towards understanding, reconciliation and unity. This year's theme, "Now More Than Ever," serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not over. By stamping out racism, and fostering a culture of empathy, and understanding, we can contribute to a more just and inclusive future for all. Find out more about Reconciliation Week at https://lnkd.in/gw3TwTPS

We are grateful for the leadership of the Elders and Aboriginal people who led Australia's Yes to the Voice campaign, recognising that there are various ways of processing the hurt and disappointment, including silent time to reflect and grieve. This has given us space as an organisation, and as individuals, to pause and consider what this outcome really means. And so, observing the grace, patience, and strength of our First Nations colleagues, friends, and mentors we have taken this moment to reflect. The referendum failing to pass is a devastating blow. We again reflect on the simple fact that Australia remains the only colonised country without any form of treaty with our First Nations people. Further, we mourn the loss of the opportunity that a different outcome could have proffered. As an organisation that operates in spaces where we endeavour, always, to elevate and amplify the voice of lived experience, we have seen how much better the final outcome is when people have a direct and preferenced say in the issues that directly affect their lives. When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples state 'nothing about us, without us', and look to systemic reform, policy design, service delivery, evaluation, or agreeing upon funding, we have seen how far government and even well-meaning organisations have missed the mark. There has been a failure to engage, consult, codesign with, amplify, and hold fidelity to the expressed needs of First Nations peoples. As the 97% of non-Aboriginal people in this country, we are responsible for genuine, accountable allyship geared towards a significant systems shift. It is not enough to ‘not be racist’. It is clear that current organisational strategies for reconciliation have been insufficient. We must strengthen our resolve to be anti-racist, and to build the trusting open relationships needed to make change. We certainly don't have all the answers, but we do pledge to continue learning, and deeply listening. This work is hard and often challenging (decolonisation should be humbling, and we're learning to sit in that feeling) - but it is also full of joy, friendship, creativity, and the rewards of seeing far better outcomes for the people we work in service of, and alongside. Whatever comes next, we are beside you. If not by that means, then another. Relentlessly and sincerely until there is change.

During Reconciliation Week we reflected on the Y NSW First Nations Youth Forum held earlier this year on Gadigal Country. This collaboration with Reconciliation NSW amplified the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and created space for connection and discussion between young people and stakeholders. Topics included: 1. How can organisations incorporate First Nations young people perspectives into their organisations? 2. How can organisations and the government ensure the voices of First Nations young people are heard and reflected in policy? 3. How can we improve outcomes for First Nations young people across Australia? 4. What does it look like when First Nations Youth Voices are being heard and valued? What else can organisations do to make this happen? 5. How do we keep the work going? Interested in knowing more? Stay tuned! #TheYNSW #YMCA #FirstNations #Reconciliation Reconciliation NSW The Y Australia