Reconciliation happens every Day: Conversations about working alliances between black and white Australia

Abstract

A series of conversations between the authors is presented in order to explore the nature of a working alliance between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. The authors aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue between Aboriginal and psychological communities by demonstrating and exploring one working alliance. The resulting paper is grounded firmly in practice. The authors focus on everyday interaction to demonstrate that despite the enormous gap between black and white Australia at political, economic, and broad cultural levels there are many positive working relationships between individuals and between organisations. Some of the values that underpin a successful working relationship are found to be fairness and justice, equality, honesty, trust, tolerance, perseverance, and a sense of humour.