A CENTRE aimed at addressing Australia\u2019s often fractured relationships with its Indigenous peoples has been established by Federation University academics following a launch in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Called the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice, the initiative has been formed by Fed Uni researchers located at campuses throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The centre is being led by Fed Uni\u2019s associate deputy-vice-chancellor for reconciliation Professor Andrew Gunstone, who said it will encompass a broad approach involving education, businesses communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a unique opportunity to engage at that national level but really particularly we\u2019ll also be doing a bunch of work in regional education, research and outreach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, with the Voice to Parliament referendum we\u2019ll have a range of dialogues at all our regional campuses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn engaging across the university, we\u2019ll be working with other university leaders to see how Indigenous employers can look at our curriculum and how Indigenous students can engage in the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis won\u2019t be a standard research centre. We\u2019ll have a really comprehensive sense of engagement across the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fed Uni professors Bindi Bennet, Emma Lee, and Dennis Foley are also attached to the centre and all have backgrounds in Indigenous studies.<\/p>\n
The centre is filled out by a team of 13 researchers.<\/p>\n
A launch for the centre took place last week at Fed Uni\u2019s SMB campus and included a panel presentation which included Aboriginal advocates Western Australia Federal Senator Pat Dodson, and Dr Jackie Higgins.<\/p>\n
Professor Gunstone led the talk and said it was a great way to kickstart the centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an honour to talk to them both about their experiences with reconciliation in general but also about what their work entails and what\u2019ll be coming in the upcoming referendum,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween them, they both have decades of experience in national reconciliation and Indigenous leadership so that was a real honour for them to present.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had about 130, 140 people attend. Dr Huggins also sits on our advisory board.\u201d<\/p>\n
Projects expected to be delivered out of the centre include updating Federation University\u2019s Reconciliation Action Plan as well as endorsing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A CENTRE aimed at addressing Australia\u2019s often fractured relationships with its Indigenous peoples has been established by Federation University academics following a launch in Ballarat. Called the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice, the initiative has been formed by Fed Uni researchers located at campuses throughout the country. The centre is being led by […]<\/p>\n