AAG Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

2020-21

Acknowledgement

Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including members of the Stolen Generations. For further information see AAG’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (ATSIAAG)

Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this document may contain images of deceased persons.

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides a framework for organisations to be inclusive in their work and contribute to national reconciliation.

AAG's Reflect RAP sets out the steps between January 2020 to June 2021 needed to prepare the organisation for reconciliation initiatives in successive RAPs. It allows AAG to spend time scoping and developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, deciding on our vision for reconciliation and exploring our sphere of influence, before committing to specific actions or initiatives. This process will help to produce future RAPs that are meaningful, mutually beneficial and sustainable.

The RAP enables AAG to contribute to reconciliation by:

• Building and encouraging relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations and the broader Australian community.
• Fostering and embedding respect for the world’s longest surviving cultures and communities.
• Developing opportunities within AAG to support and improve socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

AAG thanks Reconciliation Australia for their support developing this plan.

Introducing the artist that painted AAG's RAP front Cover: Alice Nampitjinpa

Rock Holes at Talaalpi’ painting by Aboriginal Artist Alice Nampitjinpa Alice Nampitjinpa is a Pintupi artist who was born in 1943 near Talaalpi, a swamp close to and little bit to the east of Walungurru on the Western Australian border. Alice started painting on the “Minyama Tjukurrpa” - the Kintore Haasts Bluff collaborative canvas project. As a painter she is inspired by her rich cultural heritage and thrives when involved with her stories and lore. The painting refers to the vast and desolate sandhills of her country near Taalalpi, which is located beyond the Kintore/Kiwikurra road near the Western Australian and Northern Territory border.

When Alice Springs played host to the 48th AAG Conference in November 2015, the NT committee were keen to engage with the local Aboriginal peoples and communities. As part of this AAG engaged with Ikuntji Artists, a member-based, not for profit, Aboriginal art centre and purchased ‘Rock Holes at Talaalpi’ and licensing.