We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as Australia’s First Nations people, are the sacred custodians of the land which we serve. Past and present First Nations people have experienced generational, institutional and systemic racism and injustice. These centuries old inequalities are rooted in discrimination and bias and are central to the social and health determinants that do great harm to First Nations people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are significantly overrepresented in lung disease and lung cancer deaths. Lung Foundation Australia acknowledges that we need to significantly improve participation and engagement of First Nations people in our programs and services. We cannot be silent witnesses to our failures, nor condemn others, without first committing Lung Foundation Australia and all our programs to engage First Nations people in a respectful partnership of self-determination, where solutions are not imposed, but germinated in the richness of kin and culture that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold so dear.
We pause to remember the words “I can’t breathe” from the late Mr George Floyd at the time of his death. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can’t breathe under the weight of injustice. To this end, we will continue to progress our Reconciliation Action Plan and work with partners to amplify the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in every program and within our research agenda.
We do not speak for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Elders past, present and emerging, but Lung Foundation Australia remains committed to hearing, understanding, and building our capacity to rally against discrimination, racism and bias.
Mark Brooke
Chief Executive Officer