Symbolic Reconciliation In Australia

Many Australians associate and put emphasis on the idea of reconciliation between indigenous Australians and non indigenous Australians with the federal governments formal reconciliation policy in 1991. However the events of symbolic reconciliation play an equal part if not more significant part of this reconciliation process by bridging the 'gap' between indigenous people and non indigenous people of Australia both in past and present times. Without these fundamental symbolic events of reconciliation it can be argued that the federal governments formal reconciliation policy and other practical reconciliation efforts may have never eventuated. This concept is elucidated in the text which not only highlights the value of these symbolic reconciliation
events but also explores the idea that through acknowledgement, respect, empathy and recognition of the indigenous culture and history, symbolic reconciliation can continue to occur in modern day Australia.

The idea of reconciliation in simple terms is defined as the act of bringing people together and in this particular instance, indigenous and non indigenous Australians. The process of reconciliation is a combination of both practical and symbolic events and this idea is in relation to the effects colonisation had on the native people of Australia. It can be said, that without these historic events of symbolised reconciliation the formal events to occur after may have not ever eventuated. Arguably the process of reconciliation has been a process that has been exposed and discussed since the very beginning of Australia's colonisation in the 1700s despite popular belief with many of the early settlers respecting Aboriginal land rights and their culture and values in relation to these dealings. There have been many monumental symbolic reconciliation events through out history with one of the first being in 1932 with William Cooper establishing the Australian Aboriginal League Club in which he was able to obtain 1,814 signatures for his petition for Aboriginal Australians to be represented in federal parliament. This petition made to the King as well as this group being established became a catalyst for change and spark many other groups to fight for this rights and justice of indigenous people in Australia. Other Aboriginal Australians and other anglo Australian supporters around australia advocated for this change and many other groups and organisations were formed such as the NSW Aborigines Progressive Association in which the 26th of January became the day of mourning for the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. These groups protested and raised awareness to the Australian community about the lack of justice, equality and civil rights for Indigenous Australians. The next stage in history that revisited symbolic reconciliation was in the 1950s with the formation of yet another group, the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. This group comprised of both Indigenous and non indigenous australians in the fight to equalise human rights and emphasis on the socioeconomic disadvantage. Many Australians look back at this time period and reflect back on this time as the pinacle of change and the beginnings of symbolic reconciliation as the cornerstones of what was yet to come despite many viewing these actions at the time as rebellious and/or radical in the political eye. This converted opinion didnt take long to spread to many Australians and caused a great deal of racism and further discrimination towards the indigenous people of Australia. However it is these efforts during this hard time that formed the fabric of the reconciliation policy of the federal government in 1991. The groups that fought for equality and rights during this time are often referred to as the 'black pioneers' for their continuous effort and fight during this very hard political and social time. It was during this time that unfortunately racism was prominent with discrimatory behaviours both politically and socially creating a division between indigenous and non indigenous Australians and many were against these notions of reconciliation.

This only sparked yet another historic symbolic reconciliation act with the Freedom Ride in 1965 by Sydney University students advocating for indigenous Australian rights and justice by travelling from Sydney through country new south wales.
The leader of the freedom bus was a student by the name of Charles Perkins, one of two indigenous students at University of Sydney at the time and became the president of the Student Action for Aboriginals. The freedom ride was a bus trip around country new south wales to give students an insight into the inequalities experienced by the indigenous australians living in these areas, first hand. At the time of this protest, globally racism was broadcasted everywhere from places like South Africa and America in which the Australian public were some what disgusted at this discrimination happening in these countries. Little did they know, the discrimination happening in their own backyard. The Student Action for Aboriginals (SAFA) group made a collective effort to make sure there was as much media exposure as possible to allow Australia as a country and around the world to be made aware of this disturbing issue, not only the indigenous peoples living conditions but most importantly the racism and discrimination happening for these communities. The freedom ride was one of the most influential events in the reconciliation period as it not only brought about awareness but also t also acted as indication to the wider community of Australia of
the equality issues that were occurring in Australia. It could be concluded that the freedom ride was a major contributor to the 90 percent Yes vote in the 1967 Referendum giving indigenous people counted into the census and create laws for the indigenous people of Australia under the Australian constitution. In other words Australia was to take responsibility in caring and supporting the original custodians of the land.

In 1967 a referendum to change the Australian constitution was held to finally acknowledge the indigenous people of Australia in the census and to allow the commonwealth to create laws for these people.
The referendum was a massive achievement for Indigenous Australians with 90% of the Australian population voting Yes for these two parts of the Australian Constitution to be over ruled and changed. Although this was a major event in the reconciliation process to bringing non indigenous and indigeonous people together it would be naive to think that this eradicated the racism and discrimination all together. These significant and monumental events in the history of reconciliation in Australia were significant cornerstones in the development of justice, rights and equality however the transition period was often challenging for the indigenous Australians as they had to adjust to a culturally different way of life. This was often not recognised within the Australian community causing confusion and further divide in the way in which the Australian public view and thought reconciliation consisted of. The referendum however provided a platform of hope for the future of reconciliation in Australia as it symbolised a political step towards rights and justice for the indigenous
australians.

It are these fundamental symbolic reconciliation actions that have led the practical reconcilation actions to occur in Australia to enable this bringing together of indigenous and non indigenous people past and present. In order for this to happen we need to unite and recognise life in Australia before and after colonisation and educate Australians about the effects colonisation had on the custodians of Australia.It can be concluded that although formal reconciliation is a step in the right direction for reconciliation it can not happen with out the symbolic events of reconciliation throughout history and into the future. The value of the events of symbolic reconciliation in Australian history have created a foundation to build upon in order for reconciliation to develop however this comes from the symbolic pillars of recognition, acknowledgement, respect, empathy and the rich contribution of the indigenous culture and history. During the time line of symbolic events in history unfortunately strong notions of racism, discrimination and inequality was avid and for reconciliation to continue to grow by acknowledging the life before and after colonisation in Australia's history. Unfortunately there are still major differences between indigenous Australians and non indigenous Australians in the way of health, standard of life, income and worst of all, life expectancy. To achieve ultimate reconciliation Australia needs to recognise and appreciate the rich contribution Indigenous Australians engulf and work in partnership to help these inequalities be resolved. These disparities that are still prevalent in modern Australia between indigenous and non indigenous people show that there is still a long way to come in order for equality and reconciliation to occur and for this to happen we must work towards closing the gap.