Are we there yet?

In 1991 the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) launched a decade of Reconciliation which saw a surge in momentum towards Aboriginal justice and increased public support for its tenets.

But the decade of reconciliation concluded in 2000 with the release of the CAR's final report and Parliament's prompt dismissal of its recommendations. Since then little progress has been made towards acknowledging Indigenous rights and and addressing the socio-economic disadvantages faced by Aboriginal people. Ten years later, ANTaR Victoria asks:Are we there yet?

The present context

Despite the promise offered by the National Apology in 2008, the Rudd government has made little progress towards the reconciliation goals outlined by the CAR.

ANTaR Victoria calls for the reconciliation movement to be relaunched so that we can begin treating the core problems at the heart of this nation:

• the lack of processes for real and practical self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• the prevalence of cultural disrespect and racism

What is ANTaR doing about it?

Ten years after Corroboree 2000, ANTaR has launched a year of recommitment to reconciliation. We are seeking to reignite public enthusiasm for reconciliation through a range of public campaigns and activities, focusing especially on tangible outcomes such as the campaign for treaty. We are working on:

• A short film to draw attention to the unfinished business of reconciliation
• A short film festival aimed at encouraging community dialogue about reconciliation
• Compiling evidence of successive governments’ failure to act on reconciliation
• Developing educational activities like quizzes and games, to facilitate greater understanding of Indigenous rights and justice movements
• Running events at which the whole community can demonstrate their support for reconciliation
• Strengthening our call for Treaty by re-doubling our efforts to fill our Treaty Scroll petition with 2020 thumbprints by 2011!

We want:

• Renewed public action on reconciliation at a local, grassroots level!
• Commitment by governments to a national timetable for reconciliation which recognises the importance of self-determination, Indigenous led solutions, and cultural respect.
• Action to support real justice for Aboriginal people; the drafting of a treaty, constitutional change and a bill of rights! Because there can be no reconciliation without justice.
• Thousands of voices across the country calling out for fair and equitable relations with Indigenous Australia!

YOU can help!

There are many ways to assist us in the Are we there yet? campaign. Choose from the following options:

	Donate to our Are we there yet? Fund! Because this bus to reconciliation doesn’t run on steam.
	Speak Up! Ask what your local MP is doing about Reconciliation – find out how! Add your ANTaR avatar to the virtual bridge walk! Sign the Treaty Scroll to help us call for Treaty!
	Learn more Read about where Australia stands on the roadmap to reconciliation. Learn about the Bridge Walks & Corroboree 2000 (external) Watch a film produced for Are We There Yet? or listen to a podcast about our campaign.
	Volunteer Lend a hand at our office! Your skills are valuable! Hold a Treaty Scroll event to help us call for Treaty!

Coming Soon…

Subscribe to hear about the new features we add to this site, including: 

• The Are we there yet? Film
• Games and quizzes to test your own knowledge
• Fun events
• More ways to help