Mental Health Commission’s Conciliation Action Plan launched

The Mental Health Commission launched its 2018-2021 Stretch Conciliation Action Plan (CAP) this week. 

The term ‘conciliation’ was adopted in place of ‘reconciliation’ after consultation with the Commission’s Noongar Elders in Residence, Mr Charlie and Mrs Helen Kickett, who advised the Commission that conciliation is a process which involves Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people walking together for the first time as genuinely equal partners in a shared future.

The Commission’s CAP is indicative of the Commission’s commitment to conciliation in the work that we do, by seeking to build understanding and embed actions that properly recognise and respect Aboriginal cultures and people, connection with country, and the impact of history, in order to achieve equity for Aboriginal people. 

Perth-based artist John Walley, a descendent of the Whadjuk clan within Noongar Country, created the bespoke artwork that features throughout the CAP. The name of the artwork is Walbrininy, which means spiritual healing, and it features a blue china orchid as its centrepiece. Other elements in the artwork depict people gathering; the past, present and future, and the six Noongar seasons.