The Australian Psychological Society and Australia's indigenous people: A decade of action

Abstract

This paper highlights the achievements of the past decade, together with the shortcomings and future needs, of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) in addressing its social and professional responsibilities towards Australia's Indigenous peoples. A selective chronology of events and initiatives since the 1988 International Congress in Psychology in Sydney is presented and critically examined. Reference is made to parallel national and international developments by Indigenous peoples in reclaiming direction, control, and appropriate partnership in their own mental health issues. The establishment of the APS Interest Group on Aboriginal Issues, Aboriginal People and Psychology represents one such partnership. While psychology's response to the reflection and reconciliation processes underway in Australian society in recent years might be described as sluggish, the accomplishments of the last decade provide a solid foundation for the development of culturally inclusive systems of education, training, and professional service delivery.