Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians

In 2016 Council incorporated the statement of commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities into the Moreland Human Rights Policy 2016-26 (PDF 1Mb).

It states that:

"Moreland City Council’s vision for reconciliation is where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recognised as the traditional custodians of the land, whose dispossession is addressed through respectful partnerships between Indigenous and non Indigenous people. Council is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, particularly the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of the land we now call Merri-bek."

Moreland City Council originally endorsed the Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians in May 1998. 

The subsequent Merri-bek Reconciliation Plans include references and gave support to the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation 2000 and the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by the Australian Parliament 13 February 2008. 

The original Statement of Commitment to Indigenous People: 

Council recognises

• That Aboriginal Australians are the first people of this land.
• That the Wurundjeri are the traditional owners of country now called Merri-bek.
• That Aboriginal land and people are central to Australian identity.
• That social and cultural dispossession has caused the current disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
• That Aboriginal people have survived loss of their land, their children, their health and their lives.
• The ingenuity, spirit, resilience and continuing contribution of Aboriginal people.

Council supports

• The right of Aboriginal people to live according to their own values and customs, subject to law.
• The vision as expressed by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation of a united Australia which respects this land of our values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage and provides justice and equality for all.
• Campaigns for Aboriginal people's rights, especially to land and native title to land.
• A national Treaty that enshrines the rights of Aboriginal Australians.

Council commits itself to

• Build trusting, collaborative and supportive partnerships with Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals.
• Respect of identified Aboriginal sacred sites and special places.
• Education of itself and others on the strength and unique contribution of contemporary Aboriginal cultures, and of the facts of colonisation.
• Contribute towards the promotion of accurate information on Aboriginal history and current issues.
• Equity and access for all members of Aboriginal communities to culturally sensitive services.

National Apology Anniversary – 13 February 

The anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations is on 13 February.

Council is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, particularly the Wurundjeri people – the traditional owners of the land we now call Merri-bek.