NATIONAL ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT
ISLANDER ECUMENICAL COMMISSION

Continuing the Journey...

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RESPONSE TO THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS

Support for Reconciliation:

The Salvation Army's policy on Aboriginal Reconciliation is based on the official Statement of Reconciliation which was originally published in 1997 and revised in 2000. The Statement recognises past discrimination and continuing failure by governments to acknowledge the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to consult with them and to understand Indigenous cultures. The Statement affirms the rights of ALL Australians to freedom from racism, to cultural identity, to citizenship rights including access to adequate health care, education, employment, housing and inclusion in the community. The unique relationship of Aboriginal people to their land is affirmed. The statement pledges to listen to, to learn from and to respect the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In 1995 the Salvation Army's Ministry Council, with Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Salvationists, was established. The Council, which meets quarterly, advises the Salvation Army on policy issues and is committed to raising awareness on Aboriginal culture, heritage and spirituality within the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is actively represented on Reconciliation committees of State Councils of Churches and, as a member of the National Council of Churches of Australia, contributes to discussions and is a signatory to statements such as the Draft Document for Reconciliation.

The Salvation Army supported and participated in the Pilgrimage to the Heart and the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation.

Education for Reconciliation:

The Salvation Army's commitment to promoting awareness within the Salvation Army of Aboriginal culture, heritage and spirituality is expressed through raising reconciliation issues in the official Salvation Army newsletters and publishing a quarterly Aboriginal Newsletter.

A three-day bus tour of Northern Victoria with an Indigenous guide and instructor visiting an Aboriginal arts and culture centre, experiencing a day in the bush and a worship led by Aboriginal elders and musicians was planned as a more appropriate commemoration of "Australia Day", 2001. Unfortunately this program failed to attract sufficient numbers and had to be cancelled.

Advocacy for Reconciliation:

Within the Salvation Army there is a passionate intolerance of injustices wherever they occur and many representations are made to governments on behalf of those who suffer.

Responding to Disadvantage as Reconciliation:

The Alice Springs and Swan Hill Aboriginal projects are examples of initiatives the Salvation Army has taken to address disadvantage.

The Swan Hill pilot project aims to address both the material and spiritual needs of Aboriginal people. Two Aboriginal elders work with young people in a youth drop-in centre, provide pastoral care to people in both the town and out-of-town communities, and offer spiritual services. On weekdays worship services are Aboriginal specific and on Sundays they are integrated with non Indigenous people. A family welfare counsellor is also available to work with Aboriginal families. Two experienced non Aboriginal Salvation Army officers oversee the project.

The Alice Springs Aboriginal Ministry offers a variety of services to Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people are welcomed to worship services and are becoming increasingly involved in speaking, bible reading and participating in the music. The significance of addressing the congregation in their language has been noted. Aboriginal language videos are shown weekly. The painting ministry exhibits and sells the works of Aboriginal artists and arranges cultural exchanges with Melbourne. Prison chaplaincy, family support services and alcohol awareness training are also offered through the Ministry. It is already agreed in principle that a full-time Aboriginal pastor will be appointed in the next financial year.

Negotiation-Demonstrating Reconciliation:

The Salvation Army does not have an Indigenous partner body but, as noted, the Salvation Army Aboriginal Ministries Council, with Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Salvationist membership, meets quarterly to give direction to the Salvation Army.

Vision for Reconciliation:

While the Salvation Army's Statement of Reconciliation commits to the future there does not appear to be a vision developed for future responses to reconciliation.

RESPONSE TO THE BRINGING THEM HOME REPORT

Acknowledgment and Apology [Recommendation 6]:

The Salvation Army's Statement of Reconciliation makes reference to the separation of Indigenous children from their families but does not contain an apology.

The Salvation Army encourages local expressions of response and the Territorial Executive has participated in, and been represented at, Sorry Day events.

Awareness Raising [Recommendations 8 & 9]:

It was noted that the Salvation Army is not involved in the running of schools and tertiary institutions and so no comment was given on these recommendations.

Counselling Services [Recommendation 40]:

All relevant Salvation Army services are available to Indigenous people, but specific Aboriginal issues are more likely to be referred to culturally relevant and focus-specific services and counselling.

Making Records Accessible [Recommendations 25, 38 & 39]:

It was reported that the Salvation Army did not take part in removing children from their parents but the Salvation Army's Childrens Homes were engaged by child welfare officers to care for some of the Aboriginal children. It is not possible to calculate the number of children who were placed into care as a result of government policies of forcible removal as the institutional records do not usually record the circumstances leading to placement in the institution. These children were treated the same as non Aboriginal children in that no separate records were kept.

The Salvation Army assists any former resident wishing to trace personal and family history. It was noted, with regret, that some records have been lost and that what is available is often not adequate for the purpose of tracing lost family.

The Salvation Army response made no mention of Land Holdings and Monetary Compensation.