Lutheran Care has been proud to be involved in 2022 National Reconciliation Week as part of our continuing reconciliation journey.

Starting on 27 May and concluding today, 3 June, National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to listen, learn and act to further reconciliation in Australia.

We are proud to have partnered with Reconciliation SA as a major sponsor of its premier South Australian event, the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast.

The Reconciliation Breakfast launches South Australia’s Reconciliation Week and we are excited to continue to grow our relationship with Reconciliation SA by supporting this important event.

Lutheran Care supplied the following statement to Reconciliation SA about what sponsoring the event means to us as an organisation.

Reconciliation requires genuine intent and authentic change to reshape mindsets and nurture practices that are collaborative and respectful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, peoples and communities.

Sponsoring this event reflects our commitment to being part of this journey, promoting healing and creating fair opportunities and futures for all.”

As well as attending the Reconciliation SA breakfast, our team members have participated in and promoted other local events and activities on behalf of Lutheran Care and also in their own time with their families.

Staff were invited to participate in a video project, where teams were invited to share an Acknowledgement of Country, which was shared on social media.

Our Alice Springs team viewed a Reconciliation Week documentary by Tangentjere Council, about the issue of Domestic Violence in Alice Springs and the positive impact the work Tangentjere Women’s Group is having in this space.

Two staff-driven initiatives included a Reconciliation Week donut fund-raiser for the Tindju Foundation held at our Sefton Park head office and a Sea of Hearts art activity.

This week, we acknowledge and thank our First Nations staff members, volunteers and foster families, for the important parts they play at Lutheran Care. We also acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities we serve both in South Australia and the Northern Territory and the Traditional Owners and Elders past, present and emerging of the lands on which we work.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week this year has been‚ Be Brave. Make Change.

Some examples of what we are doing to further reconciliation as an organisation include:

• Welcoming our first Indigenous Board Member, John Briggs, a Yorta Yorta man from Cummrugunja, part of the Barmah Forest on the Murray River border region between Victoria and New South Wales. Mr Briggs has a strong track record of entrepreneurship and leadership and we are thrilled as an organisation to benefit from his experience, perspectives and skills.
• Empowering our dedicated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Reference Group to finalise the release of our second RAP.
• Seeking partnerships with Aboriginal controlled/led organisations. We are proud to have as one of our partners Intract Australia Indigenous Contracting and Construction Company.
• Travelling to remote communities to ensure our services are meaningful and accessible.
• Nurturing enduring relationships with First Nations people, and welcoming their skills, voices and perspectives in the design, delivery and experience of our services.
• Supporting carers to ensure children in care are connected to culture and community.
• Working and walking with those seeking justice and healing, including our work with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers to identify, support and assist young people who are eligible for compensation following mistreatment experienced in youth detention in the Northern Territory.
• Participating as a stallholder in Closing the Gap Day held by our Toward Home Alliance partner Sonder on 18 May.

We recognise there is still much to do and our commitment to this shared journey is far from over.

Lutheran Care Chief Executive Officer Rohan Feegrade says, Lutheran Care has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across South Australia since 1969 and in the Northern Territory since 2009.

We strongly believe in the importance of building and maintaining respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities, in order to produce just, respectful and mutually beneficial outcomes.

We also recognise that reconciliation is an evolving and purposeful journey that requires both commitment and effort. This being the case, Lutheran Care will continue to heal and grow our partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations to foster mutual understanding and harmony.

We hope everyone has had a memorable and meaningful National Reconciliation Week.

For information on Reconciliation SA, visit: reconciliationsa.org.au

For information on National Reconciliation Week visit: reconciliation.org.au