Abstract:
This paper reports on the outcomes of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community led project which sought to build a pathway to reconciliation through formulating a localised community response to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The research follows a phenomenological research design which collected qualitative data from lived experiences of the participants. The research was conducted in two phases, the first involved community surveys at a local NAIDOC event and the second phase involved focus groups consisting of local Elders and community representatives. Phenomenological analysis was conducted iteratively on the survey data where major themes were identified as integral to achieve self-determination and reconciliation locally: respect,voice, truth, treaty and unity. Each theme was comprised of sub-themes whose interconnections were demonstrated through an infographic, which informed Phase 2 where a Local Response to the Statement of Commitment was hewn from these results. This response will be used as a local charter to promote Memorandums of Understanding across the Fraser Coast region to improve life choices, control of decision making and self-determination for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the region. A localised enactment to further the vision of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.