ABSTRACT

The preamble to the reconciliation legislation stated that the 'dispossession and dispersal' of indigenous people from their traditional lands by the British Crown necessitated 'a formal process of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians'. This rationale gave the strong impression that indigenous peoples would be the focus of Australian reconciliation, yet the CAR gave the interests and opinions of non-indigenous people equal weight in its policy initiatives. This chapter focuses solely on indigenous views of the process. It includes the opinions of indigenous community leaders, who assert that 'there can be no reconciliation without justice that recognises Aboriginal sovereignty', and the views of members of the Stolen Generation and the influential 'Journey of Healing' reconciliation organisation. The chapter discuses the major reconciliation conferences and the marginalisation of those indigenous representatives who were more critical of reconciliation and shows that many indigenous people consider the reconciliation process to have just another empty gesture.