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Statement of Commitment by Darebin City Council
Category:	Event
Date:	5 October 1998
Sub Category:	Statement of Commitment/Intention
Place:	City of Darebin, northern suburbs of Melbourne
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State/Country:	Victoria, Australia
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Subject Matter:	Reconciliation \| Local Government
Summary Information:
The Darebin City Council adopted a motion on the 15 November 1996 in support of working towards reconciliation with the Aboriginal and wider Darebin community. This followed extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders including Aboriginal organisations and Commonwealth, State and Local Government Authorities. In order to effect this work a Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal Australians was subsequently adopted on the 5 October 1998 together with the establishment of a Darebin Aboriginal Reconciliation Working Party involving relevant Aboriginal and non Aboriginal organisations.
Detailed Information:
The Statement of Commitment is informed both by the Victorian Government's social framework on reconciliation and more importantly by Aboriginal organisations and leaders. It is consistent with other statements made by local governments across the country. The Statement of Commitment reads: 'The Darebin City Council acknowledges that we are on Kulin land for which traditional owners and their forebears have been custodians for many centuries and one on which Indigenous people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. The Council acknowledges their living culture and unique role in the life of this region. The Darebin City Council recognises the past dispossession and the need to redress current disadvantages of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. We acknowledge that present disadvantage stems from past injustice. The Darebin City Council is committed to building a future based on equity, respect, understanding and the elimination of the disadvantages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer. The Darebin City Council respects the diversity and distinctiveness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. They provide Australia with a powerful and unique heritage. We recognise and accept our responsibility to promote and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, heritage, sacred and significant sites. The Darebin area is now occupied by people from diverse ethnic, race and cultural backgrounds who share the Reconciliation Council's vision of a 'united Australia which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and provides justice and equity for all.' ' Individuals and organisations within the City of Darebin have furthered the cause of Reconciliation by doing such things as: -The naming of streets and suburbs after historically important Aboriginal figures. -Working with partnerships of Aboriginal people on joint projects, such as the concept of a Koori Night Market adjacent to Northcote Town Hall. -Developing a Spiritual Healing Walk in partnership with Darebin Parklands. -Sponsoring a feasibility study into the development of a Koori Business Incubator in the City. -Joining with the community to celebrate Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. -Marking Sorry Day. -The Aborigines Advancement League, Wurundjeri Tribal Land Compensation and Cultural Heritage Council, Kulin Nations and Miriambiak Nation Aboriginal Corporation maintaining a variety of responsibilities for cultural matters and important Aboriginal sites. -Co-funding an Aboriginal Health Scholarship with La Trobe University and Aboriginal Affairs, Victoria. -Welcome ceremonies by descendants of the original land owners being features of important occasions such as openings, celebrations and festivals, and other gatherings such as conventions and art gallery installations.