2000

Reconciliation Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2000 by the former Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. It is the peak national organisation building and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for the wellbeing of the nation.

Thousands of Australians walk for reconciliation over Sydney Harbour bridge.

Catherine Freeman OAM wins gold for Australia in the final of the 400m final at the Sydney Olympics uniting the nation.

2001

Carol Martin MLA for the Kimberley became the first Aboriginal woman elected to an Australian Parliament.

Indigenous peoples and cultural events featured heavily in the Centenary of Federation program.

The Yeperenye Festival outside Alice Springs, NT, was the largest corroboree ever staged in this country – over 25 000 people and 40 Indigenous nations. The program celebrated the first Aboriginal federation of over 1000 generations.

In December 2001, a dedication to commemorate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had served in Australian National Forces was conducted at Kings Park, Perth. Australia's first State war memorial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was erected at the dedication. Aboriginal war veterans had not been recognised at the time.

2002

The High Court rejects an appeal by Lorna Cubillo and Peter Gunner against the Federal Court’s decision to deny the right of those removed from their families and communities to make compensation claims. Members of the Stolen Generations vow to continue their fight for compensation.

In November, Prime Minister Howard announces a review into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), which recommends a strengthening of the regional structure and the election of local officials.

In December the Commonwealth Government releases its response to Reconciliation: Australia’s Challenge, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation’s final report. The Government does not commit to action on any of the recommendations of the report, except to indicate that if there was sufficient public support a referendum on deleting section 25 of the Constitution would be held. This response reiterates the Government’s commitment to ‘practical reconciliation’.

2003

Dr Bill Jonas AM, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, launches his annual Social Justice Report, describing the incarceration rates for Indigenous women a national shame.

Following an extensive inquiry into national progress towards Reconciliation, Dr Jonas AM calls on the Australian Government to recommit to the reconciliation process. The Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee’s report ‘Reconciliation-Off track’ highlights crucial failings in the approach of the Australian Government to Indigenous affairs and the reconciliation process.

2004

Abolition of ATSIC announced by Federal Government, along with an emphasis on ‘mainstreaming’. Responsibility for the delivery of all Indigenous-specific programs was transferred to mainstream agencies and a ‘whole-of-government’ approach adopted. The new approach is based on a process of negotiating agreements with Indigenous families and communities at the local level in accordance with the concepts of mutual obligation and reciprocity for service delivery.

In its place the Government appoints the ‘National Indigenous Council’, a group of hand picked Indigenous people to advise the Government in relation to Aboriginal affairs.

In October, Prime Minister Howard formally omits the word ‘reconciliation’ from the government agenda, no longer appointing any further ‘Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Reconciliation’.

The Commonwealth Government establishes Reconciliation Place in Canberra a memorial to the stolen generations.

2005

The Federal Court recognises that the Ngaanyatjarra claimants hold exclusive possession rights over most of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. The decision is reached through negotiation, not litigation.

Former AFL footballer Michael Long campaigns for recognition of the plight of Indigenous Australians. Long walks from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004 and encourages all Australians to walk with him in Melbourne in 2005.

2006

Prime Minister John Howard and Reconciliation Australia Director Mick Dodson launch Reconciliation Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan program to help organisations turn good intentions into action. The trail blazer RAP organisations are BHPBilliton, Yartneen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Centrelink, South Australian Department of Administrative and Information Services, ANZ, City of Melbourne, Oxfam and Canberra Investment Corporation.

In September the Noongar native title decision is handed down. The Australian Government, with the support of the Labor opposition, support the state government’s decision to appeal.

2007

27 May 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. Surviving campaigners are honoured and the profile of reconciliation raised as an important issue in contemporary Australia.

Pat Anderson and Rex Wild QC release the ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report. The report makes 97 recommendations to the NT government. In their letter to the Chief Minister they say that they hope that the Report assists the government to successfully tackle the most serious issue of Aboriginal child abuse in the Northern Territory.

In August an Aboriginal man from SA Bruce Trevorrow is the first person to receive stolen generations compensation; he is awarded $525,000.

2008

For the first time in the nation’s history a welcome to country is performed at the opening of the Australian parliament when it opens on 12 February. It is performed by a traditional owner of the Ngambri/Ngunnawal peoples, Matilda House.

On 13 February the Australian Parliament apologises to the stolen generations for the wrongs of the past.

A Statement of Intent to close the gap in health status between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is signed by key Indigenous health bodies as well as by Prime Minister Rudd and the Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson.

In April Dr Jackie Huggins AM co-chair’s the Indigenous Affairs panel at the 2020 Summit.