Jesuit Social Services is committed to building a just society for every person, in every place, in every way. This commitment is at the heart of our actions and our advocacy.
The introduction of legislation to the Victorian Parliament for a Treaty between the First People’s Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government is a critical step forward in achieving self-determination for Aboriginal communities in Victoria. It builds on over 200 years of advocacy and resistance led by First Peoples.
Jesuit Social Services accepts their invitation to partner in making Treaty a reality.
Our vision for Reconciliation is for an Australia of equality where First Peoples and other Australians can walk side-by-side, acknowledging the past, and looking to the future.
As the truth-telling work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission made clear, the dispossession of land, genocide, removal of children and the ongoing failures of justice have severely damaged Aboriginal cultures, family systems, languages and spirit. This harm has been done to strong, proud and resilient peoples from diverse nations. We have seen evidence of this harm and its intergenerational impacts first-hand in the work we do.
As an organisation, we support Treaty because – while we can’t change the immeasurable harm inflicted on Aboriginal people since colonisation – we can create a better future together.
We support Treaty because it seeks to honour and share the oldest living cultures and languages in the world.
We support Treaty because First Peoples are the experts in their communities, cultures and lands – and because it will provide Traditional Owners across the state with the structures and the power to deliver practical solutions for First Peoples.
We call on all elected decision-makers in Victoria to choose reconciliation, not division; to listen to the voices of First Peoples; and to accept the invitation to join this historic journey.
We look forward to continuing to pledge ourselves as a Friend of Treaty.
