Laurel Hunt, CQU’s Nulloo Yumbah Tertiary Entry program coordinator and lecturer, and six mature-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students delivered a framed copy of the University’s Reconciliation Statement to Prime Minister Howard on the 19th of August in Canberra.

The students, who met with the Prime Minister for 40 minutes, are studying political science through Nulloo Yumbah, Central Queensland University’s Centre for Indigenous Learning & Research.

The Statement acknowledges a commitment to a just and meaningful partnership of reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people throughout the CQU campuses and communities it serves. .

“The Prime Minister maintained his stance about saying ‘sorry’,” explained Ms Hunt.

Mr Howard did tell his visitors, though, he supported practical reconciliation and he supported the university in taking practical steps to achieve reconciliation with the Darumbal people.

Jointly developed by representatives of the university and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community, the Reconciliation Statement outlines CQU’s committed to “collaborate and consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities on all issues that directly or indirectly affect them” and acknowledged its responsibility to redress disadvantage through education and employment of indigenous peoples.

Mr Howard answered a range of questions from the students about his vision for the future of Australia and the role of Indigenous people within the political process. The Prime Minister also accepted a letter from Nulloo Yumbah representatives asking the federal government to give leadership in the reconciliation process. Students spent the week in Canberra, also meeting with the Governor-General, Senator Aden Ridgeway and other political leaders.

The group dug into the National Archives and researched at Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Student Carmel Rankin was able to listen to and understand a tape in her traditional language and was able to give captions to some old photos. Other students found information about their family histories and were able to research outstanding Indigenous citizens. END