ABSTRACT
The reconciliation movement started in 1991 with the passing of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991. During these 20 years of the reconciliation movement, it has been argued that historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples should be addressed through providing reparations to Indigenous peoples and acknowledging Indigenous rights. This chapter explores the issues of reconciliation, reparations and rights, particularly three of the above-mentioned components of reparations-an acknowledgement of historical injustices; an apology for the historical injustices; and the provision of compensation-and the Indigenous right of self-determination. The response to the National Inquiry by the Howard Government, along with most other responses, also 'almost entirely overlooked' the Inquiry's fourth term of reference that discussed the principle of Indigenous self-determination. The chapter explores the terms of reference and the recommendations that related to reparations, including acknowledging the stolen generations, apologizing to the stolen generations and providing compensation to the stolen generations, and to Indigenous rights, specifically in regard to Indigenous self-determination.
