Acknowledgement of Country
Empowered Community Services acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia as the nation’s first people and recognises that as the traditional custodians of the land have a cultural and a spiritual relationship with their traditional lands and waters.
Empowered recognises the custodianship of the land in which we operate as the traditional country of the Awabakal, Worrimi & Kuring- gai peoples and pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders, past, present and emerging.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan artwork was designed by proud Barkindji woman – Jasmine Craciun. Elements of Jasmine’s artwork have also been used through our website with her permission.
Our Commitment to Reconciliation
Our journey toward reconciliation begins with acknowledging Australia’s colonial history and the devastating effects that it had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The effects of Australia’s colonial history caused violence, racial discrimination, land dispossession and prejudice. We acknowledge that this had a significant impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise that in order for reconciliation to progress we must address the disadvantages that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still face today.
As a significant step towards improving relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Empowered started work on its first ‘Reflect’ – Reconciliation Action Plan. Our Reconciliation Action Plan aims to create positive and sustainable relationships through collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We expect our Reconciliation Action Plan to be complete by December 2020.
Our organisation is committed to our journey toward reconciliation and strengthening its relationship with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through meaningful and beneficial relationships. We hope to develop these relationships with guidance from our Reconciliation Action Plan and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Change The Record
Empowered Community Services donates to Change the Record. Change the Record is Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts. Their mission is to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Change the Record is focused on building stronger and safer communities through early intervention, prevention and diversion strategies.
