Artwork by Anyupa Butcher © 2012
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the importance of continued connection to culture, country and community to the health and the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To ensure we continue to close the gap in social and emotional wellbeing, our psychologists spend time learning more about our First People to build respectful relationships. It is only through these relationships that we can build trust and achieve true reconciliation.
In offering a hand up, not a handout, we are acknowledging the power of Indigenous governance and self-determination, and active involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our partnership with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) plays a vital role in our effectiveness. Since 1973, this partnership has enabled us to work in culturally responsive and safe ways with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The APS reconciliation journey
| 1992 |
Establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Interest Group of the APS |
| 1995 |
The first Welcome to Country and keynote address by an Aboriginal activist, Rob Riley, at the 1995 APS Conference |
| 1997 |
The APS was a signatory to the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) Statement of Apology to the Stolen Generation (ACOSS, 1997) |
| 2000 |
The special edition of the Australian Psychologist on Indigenous psychology |
| 2001 |
Reconciliation Australia the lead body on reconciliation was launched |
| 2006 |
Bendi Lango bursary established to support Indigenous postgraduate psychology students |
| 2008 |
The National Apology was delivered by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Australian people on 13th February |
| 2008 |
The first ever meeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists and establishment of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) |
Aboriginal psychologists and AIPA have been instrumental in encouraging the APS in becoming involved in more formal ways of working toward reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, leading to the APS developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
| 2012 |
The APS first RAP Report (2011-2014) was released |
| 2013 - 2016 |
The Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) grew out of the APS RAP actions related to psychology education |
| 2016 |
APS staff members and the APS Board participated in cultural awareness and responsiveness workshops |
| 2016 |
Tim Carey read the APS apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at APS Congress in Melbourne |
How to get involved
This is information for members on how they can get involved in the reconciliation action plan