Reconciliation Statement

RUAH COMMUNITY SERVICES RECONCILIATION STATEMENT

As an organisation, Ruah endeavours to engage head, heart and hands in the journey of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, in order to make a contribution to the realisation of a shared humanity and future.

Head Commitment

Ruah acknowledges the importance of traditional knowledge and culture to Aboriginal people and communities. We acknowledge the historical impact of colonisation and the effects still being experienced today of the policies of assimilation and the Stolen Generation, and the power imbalance and racism which Aboriginal people encounter in Australian society. Where the latter is reflected in the organisation, Ruah is committed to examining and changing it.

When Aboriginal people and their culture and spirituality are celebrated by all Australians, when they are accorded the respect rightfully theirs as the original inhabitants of this country, it is then, Ruah believes, that they will have the opportunity to achieve a quality of life in keeping with that of other Australians.

Heart Commitment 

In its work, Ruah encounters the ‘broken heart’ of many Aboriginal people, their ongoing suffering through loss of culture and family, through widespread poverty, inadequate housing, violence, imprisonment, poor health and premature death. Although we cannot fully comprehend the pain, our hearts connect with this tragic reality.

As an Australian community service organisation, Ruah takes the view that reconciliation is and will be a life-long journey for the organisation. Ruah commits to this as a matter of priority and will work to keep engaged, despite the challenges and demands that will be faced over time.

Ruah embraces an inclusive spirituality approach which includes an aspiration to enhance its spiritual foundation with the deep connections to land and spirituality that Aboriginal people and culture can teach us.

Hands Commitment

In the life of the organisation, Ruah will continue to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of this land, and to seek opportunities to celebrate the resilience and diversity of Aboriginal people and their cultures, and their deep connection to place and family.

In the work with Aboriginal people, agencies and communities, Ruah seeks to build relationships of respect, learning, collaboration, partnership, trust and friendship.

Ruah aspires to create a workplace which Aboriginal people will want to join, where respect and mutual learning between all workers are nurtured.

Ruah commits to the concept and practice of culturally secure service provision for all Indigenous clients. Services will be grassroots, relevant, and employ commitment, advocacy, resources and skills in improving the quality of life of Aboriginal people.

Overall, as it pursues its vision for a socially just, compassionate, participative and sustainable community, and its mission to redress disadvantage and enhance the human spirit, Ruah will keep Aboriginal people to the fore.