Search

On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I congratulate the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) on its continued commitment to reconciliation, as it implements its first Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Using the pillars of relationships, respect, and opportunities, the RAP program provides a framework for organisations to contribute to the reconciliation movement. With the creation of this Stretch RAP, the NIAA continues to be a member of the ever-growing community of RAP organisations that have taken goodwill and transformed it into action.

This page from the NIAA Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2025 outlines the four key deliverable targets and their dependencies.

The NIAA will continue to explore ways to increase reconciliation, noting that the NIAA has unique opportunities to iImprove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes both within the NIAA and across the APS. NIAA recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff provide unique perspectives, knowledge and experience that help to influence the development of policies and programs, and build relationships that will strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Being the lead Agency in the Commonwealth for Indigenous Australians, the NIAA strongly understands and respects the important value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring to the table with their rich cultures and histories as Australia’s First Peoples. The NIAA recognises that policies, programs and services need to be tailored to the unique needs of communities. Respect is fundamental to ensuring we achieve that successfully. We are committed to expanding our knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their unique customs and traditions to continue building cultural competency.

Building and sustaining genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is central for NIAA to achieve our vision of being a reliable and trusted partner to Indigenous Australians. NIAA recognises that working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enriches our advice to government, informs decision making, and contributes to better outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Central to this is the National Agreement on Closing the Gap which requires all parties to work in genuine partnership with Indigenous Australians in policy development, and program and service delivery. The National Agreement centres around 4 key Priority Reforms that will transform the way Australian governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Supporting Stolen Generations Survivors. Empowering people to tell their stories and take charge of their own healing. The NIAA is administering the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme in a survivor focused and healing informed way. The Scheme will give each eligible Stolen Generations survivor the opportunity to share their personal story about the impact of their removal to a senior representative within government and have the resulting trauma acknowledged. Truth-telling, being heard and being believed is a large part of the healing process.