Reconciliation Statement
The Courts Administration Authority and Judiciary of South Australia:
Respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians and acknowledge Aboriginal people (past, present and future) as traditional custodians of the land,
Value and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s cultures, languages and relationships with land and sea,
Acknowledge the unique history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
Commit to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to achieve “a more inclusive Australia that better understands and values the history, cultures, rights and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and where strong relationships become the foundation for success for our national wellbeing.” (Reconciliation Australia), and
Recognise that past policies and actions can continue to have a negative impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
The State Courts Administration Council commit to a culturally responsive court system and to join with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the spirit of reconciliation to:
Recognise the unique history, culture and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
Include, respect and respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our practices, processes and programs,
Acknowledge, respect and value our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders for providing their wisdom and wealth of knowledge about cultural, family and community issues concerning Aboriginal people,
Acknowledge, respect and value our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff for providing their understanding of Aboriginal people, communities and culture, and the specific issues facing Aboriginal people before the courts,
Provide access to court services that are culturally sensitive within the South Australian jurisdiction and encourage all staff and judiciary to participate in Aboriginal cultural awareness programs,
Strengthen relationships between the CAA and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and build the confidence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in court processes, and
Uphold the spirit and intent of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991).
At the commencement of Reconciliation Week on 27 May 2014, the CAA’s Reconciliation Statement was signed at a signing ceremony hosted by Justice John Sulan. Signatories to the statement are the Chief Justice Kourakis, Chief Judge Muecke, Chief Magistrate Bolton, State Courts Administrator Julie-Anne Burgess, Elder Aunty Coral Wilson, Senior AJO Paul Tanner and Senior Aboriginal Cultural Consultant Geoff Cooper.
The signed statement has been reprinted and framed for distribution across all CAA sites and registries.
