aboriginal policy and action plan - kingston city council · pdf...

Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan

2014–2019

KCC15091 Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan FA.indd 1 2/07/2014 10:45 am

1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, VIC 3192 PO Box 1000, Mentone, VIC 3194

1300 653 356 03 9581 4500

131 450 [email protected]

kingston.vic.gov.au

The implementation of some of the activities in this Plan may involve financial assistance from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Council acknowledges the Kulin Nation as the custodians of the land on which the municipality is a part and pays its respects to their Elders past, and present. Council is a member of the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee (ICACC).


I am pleased to present the Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan 2014–2019 to the Kingston community.

This Policy and Action Plan has been developed following extensive consultation with the community and representative bodies of the Aboriginal community. The Action Plan provides a focus and foundation for protecting and promoting Aboriginal cultural heritage and the wellbeing of the Aboriginal community in the City of Kingston. The Plan will assist community members to understand the social and cultural aspirations of Aboriginal people in Kingston.

On behalf of Council I wish to thank the Aboriginal Sub-committee of Council’s Access and Equity Committee whose members contributed their knowledge and wisdom in the development of the Policy and Action Plan.

The Action Plan focuses on the following three themes:

RELATIONSHIPS

Building respectful relationships between Aboriginal people and the wider community.

RESPECT

Respecting the rights of all Aboriginal people to retain strong relationships with their people, their culture, values, customs and connections to land and waterways, and acknowledge Council’s role in supporting this.

OPPORTUNITIES

Presenting cultural development opportunities and engagement of Aboriginal people in the local community.

Council looks forward to continuing to work with the community to promote and celebrate local Aboriginal cultural heritage and wellbeing.

Cr Paul Peulich KINGSTON MAYOR


Contents

Kingston City Council Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan 2014–2019 1

ContentsINTRODUCTION 3

ABORIGINAL POLICY STATEMENTS 5

ABORIGINAL ACTION PLAN 2014–2019 6

TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING 11


2 Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan 2014–2019 Kingston City Council



Introduction

This policy and action plan has been developed following consultations with the community and peak representative bodies for Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Sub-Committee of Council’s Access and Equity Committee oversaw the development of the Kingston Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan 2014–2019. It replaces the City of Kingston Indigenous Policy Platform previously adopted by Council in 2008.

This policy and action plan covers the whole of Council and will be implemented in conjunction with other relevant Council policies, as well as Commonwealth and State legislation, in particular, those relating to land management and open space, naming of public places, and access to Council programs and services.

Aboriginal pertains to a person or members of a race, who are indigenous to, or first occupied, a specific territory. Throughout this document the term “Aboriginal” is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The purpose of this policy and associated action plan is to have a platform of principles that guide current and future actions to protect and promote Aboriginal cultural heritage and the wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Kingston.

Aunty Carolyn Briggs Boonwurrung Elder



An Aboriginal Elder is a person of authority, who is entitled to respect and is recognised by their community as being that person who guides the community. Aboriginal Elders are the teachers of traditions and hold the knowledge and life lessons for their communities.

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 “custodian of the land’, in relation to land, is a local group of Aboriginals who have common spiritual affiliations to a site on the land that place the group under a primary spiritual responsibility for that site and for the land.

This policy and action plan relates to the strategies set out in the Council Plan 2013–2017; a diverse and inclusive community, and promoting access and equity principles to build inclusive communities.



Aboriginal Policy Statements

1) Council values its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and is committed to strengthening relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and representative groups.

2) Council acknowledges its significant links to local Aboriginal culture past and present.

3) Council will continue to engage positively with Aboriginal locals through such groups including Council’s Access and Equity Aboriginal Sub Committee, partnerships through the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee, the Kingston Koorie Mob Network, and through recognising cultural celebrations such as NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week.

4) Council acknowledges the spiritual relationship, both historical and living, between the land and its first peoples. Council recognises and values the distinctive place of our Aboriginal people in Australia’s identity; from their cultural heritage and care of the land, to their ongoing contributions to our community today.

5) Council recognises the importance of having an Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan that is aligned with community needs and broader developments at the national and state level.

6) Council is committed to further strengthening the community’s understanding of Aboriginal issues and to promote cultural connection.

Macchiato (detail) by Ben McKeown



Aboriginal Action Plan 2014–2019

Kingston Council will implement the following Action Plan as a part of its commitment to developing and maintaining close working relationships with the local Aboriginal community and Aboriginal representative groups.

THEME 1: RELATIONSHIPS

Building respectful relationships between Aboriginal people and the wider community.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET

1.1 Continue to support Kingston Council’s Access and Equity Advisory Committee – Aboriginal Sub Committee.

Community Engagement Team 2014–2019 Six Sub-Committee meetings held per annum to develop projects and advise Council.

1.2 Continue Council’s commitment to participate in the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee (ICACC). ICACC was established in 1997 by Aboriginal people and eight committed local Councils with the vision to achieve and enhance respect, recognition, equity and health and wellbeing for Aboriginal people.

Community Engagement Team

Councillor representative on ICACC

2014–2019 Minimum four network forums attended by a Council Officer per annum.

Information obtained is distributed to relevant staff and networks.

1.3 Actively encourage Aboriginal people to participate in Council’s networks, working groups, committees, and applications for staff position opportunities.


Council departments with Steering Committees

2014–2019 Aboriginal people are encouraged to nominate for representation as community members on Council committees and where appropriate advised of applications for staff position opportunities.

1.4 Develop projects, events and opportunities that attract Aboriginal people to our community.


Arts and Culture Team

2014–2019 Council to support appropriate events or activities that are specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community.

THEME 1

RELATIONSHIPS




1.5 Raise the profile of Aboriginal history, sites, culture, arts, resources, organisations, programs and events on Council website and at Council libraries.



Libraries Team

2014–2019 Council’s website to be updated as information is updated on heritage sites, walks, training, network forums and opportunities of linked information.

Libraries display and promote literature from, and about local Aboriginal culture, heritage and the arts.

1.6 Facilitate opportunities for Council to work more closely with the local Aboriginal community in service delivery.


Youth and Family Services Team

Aged and Disability Services Team

2014–2019 Aboriginal cultural sensitive practice staff training provided.

Youth and Family Services Strategic Plan includes areas of Aboriginal cultural development.

Home and Community Care Diversity Plan includes promoting access to available services to Aboriginal community.

1.7 Continue to build relationships between Kingston schools and the Kingston Koorie Mob to strengthen this unique program of activities and engagement of Aboriginal youth in schools across Kingston.

Youth Services Team


2014–2019 The Community Engagement Team and Youth Services will be involved in the support of Kingston Koorie Mob.



THEME 2: RESPECT

Respecting the rights of all Aboriginal people to retain strong relationships with their people, their culture, values, customs and connections to land and waterways, and acknowledge Council’s role in supporting this.


2.1 Continue to engage Aboriginal cultural educators, artists and presenters for cultural training, projects, events and festivals.



2014–2019 Continue to build a resource of Aboriginal professionals to be engaged for specific training and cultural events and widely distribute the list.

Cultural training and arts events to be held.

2.2 Community Engagement Team 2014–2019 Flags flown permanently at the Kingston Arts Centre and Attenborough Park.

2.3


Events Team

2014–2019 Events Team will continue to ensure advice is given on “Acknowledgement of Country and Elders Statement” protocol at significant events.

Action Plan

THEME 2

RESPECT


Acknowledge the Aboriginal culturalheritage of the municipality by havingthe Aboriginal Flag permanently flownat Council offices in Cheltenham, Mentoneand the Kingston Arts Centre andAttenborough Park.

The reading of the Statement of the 'Acknowledgment of Country andElders' at the commencement of significant civic and cultural events, including Ordinary Council Meetings at the discretion of the Mayor or Speaker of the day. The Statement is to include words to the effect: On behalf of Council and the Kingston community I wish to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present and people of the Kulin nation and recognise them as the custodians of the land on which we are meeting.



2.4 Recognise the diversity of Aboriginal people and their cultures, traditional and contemporary lifestyles through activities and events at NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week.



2014–2019 A high quality and diverse program of events is delivered annually.

2.5 Engage with the local Aboriginal community, Aboriginal community controlled organisations and Aboriginal representative groups to seek their input into relevant policies and strategies to ensure Council meets the needs of the Aboriginal community. Also ensure that all Aboriginal Heritage legislation is complied with for new works and developments.


Parks Team

Strategic Planning Team

2014–2019 Council to develop protocol of conduct when dealing with significant sites and culturally sensitive areas.

Council officers from relevant departments attend appropriate training.



THEME 3: OPPORTUNITIES

Cultural development opportunities and opportunities to engage Aboriginal people in the local community.


3.1 Approved Aboriginal site at Attenborough Park has dedicated signage and Indigenous Garden planted.

Parks Team


2014 – 2017 Signage and Indigenous Garden is established at Attenborough Park.

3.2 Promote a greater awareness and understanding within Council officers and Councillors of Aboriginal people, heritage and cultural beliefs and customs through cultural heritage training.

People and Culture Team


2014–2019 Cultural Awareness training delivered .

Department specific training available to be tailored by Community Engagement Team as required.

3.3 Provide written statement of “Acknowledgement of Country and Elders” to Council Departments to be used in Council publications where appropriate. The Statement is to include words to the effect: “Council acknowledges the Kulin Nation as the custodians of the land on which the municipality is a part and pays its respects to their Elders past, and present. Council is a member of the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee (ICACC)”.


Governance Team

2014–2019 All new Council Report publications have the statement of “Acknowledgement of Country and Elders” published at the beginning of report.

3.4 Consider suitable sites for the establishment of a Gathering Place for Aboriginal groups to meet, and as a resource for the wider community to engage with Aboriginal people and their culture, subject to availability of adequate funding.

Community Engagement Team 2014–2019 Identification of appropriate locations together with potential funding sources and opportunities for consideration by Council.

Action Plan

THEME 3

OPPORTUNITIES

Baluk Arts



Tracking Progress and Reporting


Review and monitor Aboriginal Policy and Action Plan actions and progress annually.


Access and Equity Advisory Committee Aboriginal Sub Committee

2014–2019 Actions are monitored annually over seen by the Community Engagement Team and the Access and Equity Advisory Committee Aboriginal Sub Committee.

Report to Councillors and Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee annually.

Community Engagement Team 2014–2019 All actions are delivered and reported to Councillors and Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee.

Techno Black by Ben McKeown


1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, VIC 3192 PO Box 1000, Mentone, VIC 3194

1300 653 356 131 450

[email protected]

kingston.vic.gov.au

For further information visit Kingston Council website

kingston.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Care on 1300 653 356.


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