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The Australian Psychological Society's Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Timothy A Carey Pat Dudgeon Sabine Hammond Tanja Hirvonen Michael Kyrios Louise Roufeil Peter Smith
Timothy A Carey
Pat Dudgeon
Sabine Hammond
Tanja Hirvonen
Michael Kyrios
Louise Roufeil
Peter Smith
Abstract
The gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous health, education, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing remains a major concern. Bridging these gaps and working in culturally safe and responsive ways with people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent presents considerable challenges, including for the discipline and profession of psychology. At the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) inaugural congress in September 2016, the APS issued an Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The apology was a formal acknowledgment of the role of the discipline and profession of psychology in failing to listen and show respect to Indigenous Australians. The apology was also a commitment to change. This paper provides the background and context to, and motivation for, the apology. The APS received highly positive reactions to the apology across Australia and internationally. However, further change and work needs to be undertaken as the challenge for the discipline and profession now is to demonstrate a commitment to the apology by supporting and engaging in culturally safe practices.
Keywords
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, apology, cultural responsiveness, culturally safe practice, Indigenous, reconciliation, social and emotional wellbeing
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australian Psychologist
Book
Volume
52
Issue
4
Page Range
261-267
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
DOI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled