ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE

RESPECT

We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People past and present and emerging and extend that respect to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, clients and collaborators

LAND

Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land. We acknowledge that we live and work on unceded sovereign Aboriginal land and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are the traditional custodians of all the land and sea throughout Australia. The Mentor and Support office is situated on the land of the Cammeraygal people.

CUSTODIANS

We honour the ancestors of yesterday, the custodians of today and those of tomorrow. We recognise the continuing connection to land and waters, We acknowledge and celebrate the living law, knowledges, cultures, histories, perspectives and languages which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People hold.

COLONISATION

We understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People suffer from inter-generational trauma from colonisation, such as the Stolen Generations, leading to ongoing systemic racism, poor housing and health, high incarceration rates, and a general lack of opportunity.

RESILIENCE

We recognise the enduring resilience and Strength that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People continually demonstrate in the face of adversity.

CONTRIBUTION

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have made, are making and will continue to make vital contributions to the heritage, cultural identity, economic and political communities of Australia.

CONTINUATION

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People continuation of a living spiritual, cultural and social connection with the land sea, and sky.

TREATY

MENTOR acknowledge the past wrong doing and look to heal and move forward.

CLOSING THE GAP

We agree with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020.

ULURU STATEMENT

We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

We acknowledge that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People life expectancy is significantly lower than for non-Indigenous people.

SUICIDE

We recognise that adult suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People is almost three times the non-Indigenous rate

INCARCERATION

We acknowledge that the incarceration rate for Adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People is over 14 times the non-Indigenous rate