Aboriginal Community Partnership Principles 2020-2022
Guiding our work with the Aboriginal community, these principles will drive us to ensure our work is led and informed by Aboriginal voices and perspectives. This includes embedding self-determination in our work, creating meaningful partnership and consultation on issues that matter. It is an opportunity to strengthen our relationships of trust and transparency, provide culturally safe services, and raise the distinct voices of Aboriginal people in Victoria.
Artwork: Last Connection by Alfred Carter (Gunaikurnai)
You can download a PDF version of this resource – see the link at the bottom of the page.
About these partnership principles
The Aboriginal Community Partnership Principles are designed to guide how the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (the Commission) engages with Aboriginal communities and empowers Aboriginal voices in our work on Aboriginal rights issues.
These principles have been developed in response to feedback from Victorian Aboriginal community members and organisations and aim to embed leading practice into our functions and services. Establishing these Principles was a key commitment of our Aboriginal Community Engagement Strategy 2020 – 22.
The Commission recognises and respects the unique position of Aboriginal Victorians as First Nations peoples and the central importance of self-determination. As a non-Indigenous organisation working to advance Aboriginal rights, we understand that the way we work is critical to advancing the values we espouse.
What are the four principles?
Principle 1 - Self-determination
Principle 2 - Cultural rights
Principle 3 - Promoting Aboriginal voices and perspectives
Principle 4 - Accountability to the Aboriginal community and transparency