b'Our journey to reconciliationUniting has a clear vision for reconciliation: All people standing together to create socially just and culturally safe relationships with,and opportunities for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.everyone. A culture where people can talk In 2021, we launched our Innovateopenly about racism and call it out when weReconciliation Action Plan (RAP)see it. This could take the form of ongoing which outlines actions for achievingcultural safety education at Uniting. this vision. We now look to ourThe day concluded with an important yarn Stretch RAP to embed reconciliationabout Unitings support for a First Nationsinitiatives into business strategies soVoice to Parliament. It was agreed that thisthey become business as usual. was an opportunity for Uniting to be a vocalOur Yarn Up group and strong public supporter of The Voice. Support for a Yes vote Engaging staff in cultural Established in 2020, our Yarn Up group learning opportunities for a Voice to Parliamentprovides a culturally safe space for the voicesof all Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderAs part of our Innovate RAP weve invited all people at Uniting. employees to include a continuous learning In early 2023, Yarn Up members gathereddevelopment goal to enhance their culturalIn March 2023, Uniting joined the Allies for Uluru Coalition. in Prahran to reconnect and welcome newawareness and understanding of their local members. They considered progress made First Nations people. This aims to increase ourThis group of more than 180 civil societylives. Constitutional enshrinement ofon our Innovate RAP and discussed the idea collective understanding and appreciation oforganisations welcomes and endorses thea First Nations Voice to Parliament isof inviting Elders to form a wisdom circle to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,agreed wording for constitutional change andcrucial to recognising Aboriginal and help guide our reconciliation journey.histories and achievements.a First Nations Voice to Parliament. AlongsideTorres Strait Islander peoples right to self-The need for all Uniting staff to feel capable Offering each employee the opportunity tothe Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, anddetermination and honouring the Uluru and empowered to work in culturally safe waysundertake a rich action-orientated learningthe Uniting Aboriginal and Islander ChristianStatement from the Heart.with First Nations families and communities experience as part of their workday is not just Congress, we support the Yes vote for aDuring National Reconciliation Week inwas also discussed. This could break downan extension of our Innovate RAP commitments,Voice to Parliament.May 2023 we heard from a panel of Yarnthe notion that working with First Nationsits a way we can walk the talk in support ofWe haveheard the message fromAboriginalUp members and staff from across Tasmania consumers is the domain of Aboriginal andsomething we believe in. and Torres Strait Islander leaders throughand Victoria. Torres Strait Islander employees. theUluru Statement From the HeartseekingThey told us what constitutional recognition The group then reflected on more difficultFind out more Voice, Treaty, Truth, and we accept themeans to them. And they spoke about the topics, including racism at Uniting. They sharedgenerous offer contained therein to walkimportance of Uniting, as a mainstream their own experiences and considered the racismtogether towards a better future. organisation, standing as an ally in the call First Nations consumers may experience atRecognising Aboriginal and Torres Straitfor constitutional recognition and a Voice to Uniting. They talked about how we can create Islander Peoples in the Constitution, andParliament. As a group we explored ways to an organisation that is culturally safe forestablishing a Voice to Parliament, is the hold respectful conversations in support of a first step toaddressingthe wrongs andYes outcome, and we acknowledged the need injustices of the past and giving First Nationsto support our colleagues and friends in the people a voice on the issues that affect theirlead-up to, and during, the referendum.26 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'