The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme was established in recognition that past government policies of assimilation led to ongoing harm and trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were removed from their families or communities.
When Gary Rake, CEO of the Australian Building Codes Board, offered to be involved as a senior government representative providing acknowledgements to members of the Stolen Generations, he didn’t expect to be re-examining his own family’s past.
Gary considered his involvement a responsibility of being a leader in the Australian Public Service (APS).
“I thought – this looks like a sincere program, and it’s going to need a lot of senior Government people ready to help. I should offer.”
From taking on a unique professional commitment, his personal perspective on his own history changed.
“As I read more and built my knowledge, I realised there were some elements of my family’s past, things in the stories that have been passed down our line, that I previously misunderstood and am no longer comfortable with. The learning process changed my ‘general commitment’ into a very personal one,” Gary said.
Over 50 senior executives from across the APS recently met at Charles Perkins House, head office of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), to learn about this important healing, truth-telling, and reconciliation initiative.
A Personal Acknowledgement is an important element of the healing and truth-telling purpose of the Scheme. Senior government representatives are trained to engage with Stolen Generations survivors about their personal story of removal and its impact in a formal yet personal exchange. The acknowledgement can be provided in person or in writing, or both.
“Personal Acknowledgements are actually very powerful events,” Kate Phipps, Branch Manager of the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, explained.
“They are survivor-led, which means the Stolen Generations survivor can decide if they will have one, and what form it takes.”
The gathering provided an opportunity for senior executives who had delivered a Personal Acknowledgement to speak about their experience, for the benefit of other senior government leaders who are considering becoming involved in the initiative.
Attendees heard from Vance Kahn, Director of Security at the Department of Parliamentary Services and Pennie Talbot, Executive Director of the Office of Township Leasing, along with Gary Rake.
Gary explained how he felt when, after completing training, he was invited to deliver a specific Personal Acknowledgement.
“I can’t describe precisely what that emotion is, it’s a cross between feeling panicked and privileged at the same time. For a while, I couldn’t think about anything but the person, the survivor, and wanting to get straight into it.
“Then finally, I recognised that this is what I am here for, this is what I signed up for and prepared for, this is my opportunity to make a difference. This is a very special opportunity and I want to make a positive and personal contribution.”
While the role can be challenging, it is also very rewarding, and Gary emphasised that he received strong support from Scheme staff and experts in restorative engagement.
“Working through drafting the acknowledgement with the facilitator and Scheme staff cleared the barriers for me to reflect on the survivor’s story, the questions being asked by the survivor and the things I could offer to help their healing,” he said.
Gary also reflected on how the role of senior government representative made him think about leadership. He said that the model offers many ideas for change across government.
“How can I improve my ability to be in the middle of things? How can I help with connecting people inside and outside the service to get better outcomes?
“It also made me more keenly aware of the importance of listening to people, the citizens we serve. Really listening. Like we do in reading a survivor’s story. But doing that day to day. Looking for needs and expressions that help us understand better what our role might be,” he said.
You can find out more about senior government representatives with the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme at www.territoriesredress.gov.au or by emailing territoriespersonalacknowledgement@niaa.gov.au.