Reconciliation

Cirka is committed to supporting the national reconciliation movement and developing respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations and the broader Australia community. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Reconciliation Action Plan & Working Group

The first steps we have taken in our journey to support reconciliation are the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and implementation of a Reconciliation Working Group (RWG).

Our RAP is a strategic document that includes practical actions to drive Cirka’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which we operate. Our RWG meet regularly and work together to ensure that Cirka is achieving objectives and actions as set out in our RAP.

Awareness

Cirka’s RWG have communicated our commitment to reconciliation to all our employees and have encouraged the team to watch “Reconciliation in Australia – Our History, Our Story, Our Future”, which helps to explain the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, the importance of respecting everyone’s rights and experiences and how stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism are valuable for all of society.

National Reconciliation Week

2021 marks 20 years of Reconciliation Australia and there has been significant progress over this time in greater acknowledgment, understanding and embracing of Indigenous contribution. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Every year it runs from 27th May – 3rd June and the dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the 1967 Referendum acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and the High Court Mabo decision.

“More than a word. Reconciliation takes action” was the 2021 theme, urging the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action. Cirka marked NRW, by communicating details about the theme and events with our whole team to share awareness. We also participated in the Reconciliation Australia virtual National Acknowledgment of Country to recognise and respect the Traditional Owners of the land.