Gender Equity Victoria acknowledges the traditional custodians of country across Australia and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.
We recognise and apologise for the human suffering and injustice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced as a result of colonisation and generations of discrimination and marginalisation that has resulted from that.
We express shame and horror at the actions and atrocities that have been perpetrated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We acknowledge that the removal of children has and continues to devastate individuals, families and entire communities and that the intention of those policies has been to assimilate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We recognise this as a policy of genocide.
We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a sovereign people who have never ceded their sovereignty of this land.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s human right to self-determination.
We commit to working in solidarity and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve women’s health, safety and wellbeing outcomes.
(Adapted from WESNET 2017)
