OTA’s statement on the Voice Referendum for Constitutional change

As a diverse and dedicated community of occupational therapists, we stand united in our passion for making a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities across this great continent we call home.

Occupational Therapy Australia is a community built on shared values, compassion, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion and occupational participation in society. Our journey is one of continuous learning, and we are steadfast in our dedication to fostering deep mutual respect and understanding of the diverse cultures that enrich our nation.

As we tread the path towards a just and equitable future, we embrace the responsibility to strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities, and peak bodies, recognising the importance of reconciliation in our actions and policies.

Together, we champion the principles of self-determination, occupational justice, and participatory democracy. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, accepting the invitation offered through the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supporting the Voice Referendum for Constitutional change.

With your unwavering support and dedication, we look forward to shaping a brighter future for occupational therapy in Australia, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

OTA’s statement: Occupational Therapy Australia supports the Voice Referendum for Constitutional change.

Occupational Therapy Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands, and waterways where we conduct our business, where we meet and connect and where we live and work across this continent now also known as Australia. We pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present and emerging, for they are the custodians of knowledges, the traditions, the culture and generational foresight of our nations. We acknowledge that these lands have been inhabited by original custodians who have existed since time immemorial and continue to live in spiritual and sacred relationships with Country.

As occupational therapists living and practicing on unceded lands we have obligations. These include both moral and ethical obligations to act in ways consistent with our deeply held professional concern with the rights of all persons to inclusion and occupational participation in society. Accordingly, concerns with self-determination and the advancement of occupational justice – as the broader societal focus of occupational therapy – underpins our efforts in aligning in solidarity with Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Island peoples in achieving constitutional change through the Voice. Our standpoint is that the Voice represents the most powerful vehicle for the realisation of participatory democracy in Australia to date.

Occupational Therapy Australia’s journey is one of continuous learning and deeper connectedness to culture and Country. Our vision is to develop deep mutual respect and strengthened relationships between our Board, staff and members and First Peoples ways of knowing and doing so that we can contribute to a shared and reconciled journey towards a just and equitable future. OTA recognises the importance of intentionally establishing sovereign relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and peak bodies and complements our ongoing commitment to reconciliation through our Reconciliation Action Plans.

Occupational Therapy Australia stands with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, stakeholders and allies, and accepts the invitation offered through the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We support the yes vote for Constitutional change to establish a First Nations Voice.

Professor Carol McKinstry President, Occupational Therapy Australia

We’re pleased to unveil our Reconciliation Action Plan artwork as we successfully conclude our Reflect RAP journey and embark on the next phase of our Journey of Understanding. We have commissioned the painting from Yorta Yorta siblings Luke and Siena Tieri from Bayadherra.

The artwork depicts the collaboration and connection between OTA and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, encouraging cultural awareness and engagement to strengthen relationships and contribute to reconciliation.

The two large yarning circles depict OTA and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The four smaller yarning circles depict the stages of reconciliation and are connected by learning pathways. The large yarning circles are connected by two solid purple lines and two dashed yellow lines. The purple lines represent the completion of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the yellow lines represent the process of working towards the Innovate, Stretch and Elevate RAPs. This reconciliation journey is ongoing and strengthens cultural connections between OTA and traditional custodians.

The circular artwork design symbolises the impact and outreach of reconciliation within OTA across Country, and the holistic approach to patient healthcare and wellbeing. All six circles acknowledge the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, biological and social aspects of client wellbeing and also depict the six OTA values. The smaller circles around the outside of the artwork represent waterholes as a meeting place. This depicts OTA support networks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Country contributing to access, equality and inclusion. These waterholes surround the central RAP process reflecting OTA’s commitment to reconciliation.