innovative reconciliation action plan 2014-2016 41679 reconciliat… · innovative reconciliation...

National Australia Day

Council

Innovative Reconciliation

Action Plan 2014-2016

CONTACT DETAILS

National Australia Day Council Old Parliament House King George Terrace Parkes ACT 2600

Telephone: 02 6120 0600 Facsimile: 02 6273 8777 Email: [email protected]

www.australiaday.org.au www.australianoftheyear.org.au

The National Australia Day Council is generously supported by the Australian Government

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mailto:[email protected]

http://www.australiaday.org.au

Contents

Message from the CEO 4

Our vision for Reconciliation 5

Climate for Reconciliation on Australia Day 7

Our Reconciliation Action Plan - Progress 8

Our Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-16 12

Relationships 13

Respect 15

Opportunities 17

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Message from the CEO

I am pleased to present the NADC's fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a three-year strategic plan which takes into account our achievements to date and helps us to identify the areas in which our efforts have the greatest effect.

It's about doing our part, using our sphere of influence to inspire national pride and spirit in order to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

We strongly support the vision of a nation which values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, culture and peoples and recognises their unique position as the original custodians of Australia.

This RAP is not just about words. It lists a number of key actions to be undertaken, which build on the achievements of our three previous RAPs.

I thank Reconciliation Australia for its guidance and support in the development of this RAP and I commend everyone within the NADC who has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards achieving our vision for reconciliation. I look forward to sharing and celebrating our RAP achievements in the future.

Jeremy Lasek Chief Executive Officer

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Our vision for Reconciliation

The NADC prides itself on being an organisation which embraces and celebrates the many cultures which make up our nation. Our vision is to lead by example through our actions, to demonstrate how true reconciliation can happen between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community.

We recognise the unique status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First People of this land, who have strived to retain their culture and identity through more than two centuries of non-Indigenous settlement.

Year-round, and especially around Australia Day, the NADC strives to inspire national pride and spirit to enrich the lives of all Australians including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The NADC remains committed to playing a part in the journey of reconciliation by helping all Australians to move forward with a better understanding of our shared past, acknowledging how this affects the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and how we might build a better future together.

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Our approach to ReconciliationIn 2007, the NADC was amongst the first organisations in Australia to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our approach to reconciliation remains one of leadership and optimism.

We recognise that 26 January (Australia Day) has a vastly different meaning for many Australians, and we respect that. For many it is our national day and a day of celebration, however, the NADC acknowledges for others this day symbolises 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day'. To that end, all programs presented by the NADC, not only on 26 January, should play a respectful and positive role in advancing reconciliation.

The NADC believes our national day should be authentic and mature, where we can celebrate and mourn at the same time. We can honour all that is great about Australia and being Australian, remember the sufferings of the past, and commit to building a more cohesive and inclusive nation.

This RAP demonstrates the NADC's continuing commitment to work within our sphere of influence to contribute to righting the wrongs of the past.

By acknowledging the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our past, present and future, the NADC:• Offers an appropriate mark of respect on our national day;• Nurtures pride amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and all Australians; and • Raises awareness of the issues that still challenge the nation, such as the gap in life expectancy,

health and literacy standards between First Australians and the wider community.

We encourage all Australians, and particularly our key stakeholders, to work with us to ensure that our events and programs are inclusive. Our immediate stakeholders include our board and staff, the committee members and staff of our state/territory network organisations and local committees, and our sponsors and key contractors.

The NADC supports efforts to appropriately amend the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We will encourage our staff, stakeholders and all Australians to join in a national conversation on constitutional recognition and its value to our national identity.

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Climate for Reconciliation on Australia Day

An NADC survey conducted by Horizon in November 2011 showed that Australians believed that Australia Day celebrations should be inclusive. It was reported that 72% of Australians believe it's important to recognise Australia's Indigenous people and culture as part of Australia Day celebrations. While the sentiments are overwhelmingly solid across all ages and demographic backgrounds, they are particularly popular among younger Australians. Of those aged 18-34 years 88% said recognising Australia's Indigenous people and culture was important in celebrations compared to 67% of those in the 40 years and older age bracket. Australians see themselves as a people made up of a rich mix of cultures and heritage, and they celebrate their place in a contemporary cosmopolitan society.

Our BusinessThe NADC works to inspire national pride and spirit by:

• Uniting all Australians through celebration;• Promoting the meaning of Australia Day; and• Acknowledging active citizenship and achievement.

The NADC's key programs are the Australia Day celebrations and the Australian of the Year Awards. These programs and their campaigns are coordinated nationally through a network of eight State and Territory Australia Day affiliate organisations and more than 700 local Australia Day committees. The NADC has a staff of 12 and a board of 10 members which includes two aboriginal members.

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Our Reconciliation Action Plan - Progress

The NADC has been committed to implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) since 2007. Over seven years we have achieved great outcomes and are proud to celebrate our achievements.

Publicly celebrating our respect of the history and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Australia Celebrates Live Concert and Australian of the Year Awards national announcement In 2011 the Chooky Dancers, a group of young Aboriginal traditional dancers from Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island in Australia's Northern Territory performed at the Australia Celebrates Live Concert on the eve of Australia Day and Jessica Mauboy performed alongside Stan Walker at the National Announcement of the Australian of the Year awards. These events were held on the lawns of Parliament House and were broadcast live. Having these amazing performers included in our line up greatly assisted us to kick off the celebrations for Australia Day and to help Australians to think about our past, present and future on Australia Day.

We were delighted to work with Jessica Mauboy again in 2013, when she was celebrated as the Northern Territory finalist for Young Australian of the Year.

Chooky Dancers perform at the Australia Celebrates Live concert in 2011.

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Australia Day Launch In 2013 the NADC held its Australia Day launch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This event had a specific focus on the traditional owners of our land and encouraged the public to reflect on our past and the history of Australia Day, before committing to work together towards a greater future for our nation.

We worked closely with Aunty Joy Murphy, an elder of the Wurundjeri people, on how the event would be presented. Aunty Joy worked with a group of local dancers to prepare a beautiful opening dance titled 'The Calling', which lead into a special poem she had written, which she read aloud as a gum leaf player performed. This was the perfect opening to our event that wouldn't have been possible without working in partnership with the Wurundjeri people.

Adam Gilchrist with local dancers at the MCG to launch Australia Day on 2013.


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Australia Day National ConferenceThe Australia Day National Conference is a bi-ennial event that is held to provide training and development for Australia Day event organisers across the nation.

To ensure that all Australia Day event organisers consider both inclusion and reconciliation for their local events, the NADC includes speakers at the conference who can provide insight into these important issues.

In 2011, Deputy Chair of the NADC board, Shelley Reys ao spoke about Indigenous inclusion at local Australia Day events. Around 155 delegates attended from local councils throughout Australia and found this session to be extremely helpful for planning their future events. In 2013, Dr Tom Calma ao, ACT Australian of the Year 2013 and Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, spoke about the journey towards reconciliation. The 150 delegates from councils around Australia found Dr Calma ao's session a highlight and one of the most valuable. In both 2011 and 2013 we held a Welcome to Country conducted by elders of the local community.

Using our position of leadership to promote the stories of high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Since the beginning of the Australian of the Year Awards in 1960, eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been named Australian of the Year.

Over the past three years, 45 First Australians have been recognised through the Australian of the Year Awards as recipients or finalists, with two becoming national recipients of the award.

In 2012, Laurie Baymarrwanga from the Northern Territory, received the national award for Senior Australian of the Year. A great great grandmother, Laurie has shown extraordinary leadership and courage in caring for the cultural and biological integrity of her beloved Crocodile Islands.

In 2013, Shane Phillips from New South Wales, received the national award for Australia's Local Hero. Shane is an advocate for Aboriginal rights and is a respected member of the Redfern Aboriginal Community.

For the 2013 Australian of the Year campaign, 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were nominated (3.4% of total nominations received).

Dr Tom Calma with local elder Aunty Agnes Shea at the bi-ennial Australia Day conference.

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Building and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and learning from each other

Cultural Awareness Training

The staff at NADC are trained in cultural awareness and have learnt how to approach and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Tour of Honour

Each year a recipient of the Australian of the Year awards travels to the Northern Territory for a Tour of Honour where they attend schools and meet people from different communities. This has always been a great experience for the recipient and the people they meet along the way. In 2013, Young Australian of the Year, Akram Azimi, travelled to the Northern Territory for the annual Tour of Honour, visiting Darwin, Jabiru, Bathurst Island and the Yirrakala Community in East Arnhem Land. Akram met with schools and community groups, discussing community mindedness, civics and citizenship, and how these themes relate to his own story. Always a sincere and entertaining speaker, Akram was able to meaningfully engage with a diverse range of groups, ranging from recent Afghan migrants at the Melaleuca Refugee Centre, to Youth Leaders in the Darwin CBD, and Aboriginal teenagers at the Clontarf Foundation, presenting an inspiring example of what can be achieved despite disadvantage. Sending Akram to these communities was a fantastic way for us to promote the work of the awards and its recipients, as well as build relationships within the community.

2013 Young Australian of the Year, Akram Azimi, with a group of teenagers from Bathurst Island.

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Our Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-16Our new RAP updates the progress of the NADC's reconciliation journey and our organisation's continuing commitment to work towards reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community.

This is the NADC's fourth RAP, and we believe we have a mature reconciliation agenda and a number of successful strategies already in place. We want to continue to build on our successes and have refreshed our plan to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to an inclusive and cohesive Australia.

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands across Australia and particularly acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, traditional owners of the land on which the NADC office is situated. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

The NADC's RAP is publicly available on the website www.australiaday.org.au and will be provided to our Australia Day network and corporate partners.

The NADC is committed to the development and implementation of reconciliation initiatives in the areas: • Relationships;• Respect; and• Opportunities.

2012 Senior Australian of the Year, Laurie Baymarrwanga, with children from Murrungga island.

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Relationships

Through the Australia Day and Australian of the Year Awards programs, the NADC will build positive and productive relationships with inspirational and outstanding Australians, including many who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Focus area: Building and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and learning from each other.

Action Responsibility Timeline Target

NADC will establish a Working Group to support the development and review of this RAP. It will consist of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander NADC Board Member and two senior staff.

CEO Meet December and June annually

The finalisation and publication of this RAP is a result of this RAP Working Group.

The RAP Working Group will discuss tracking and reporting at least twice each year.

NADC will maintain an informal network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and Reconciliation organisations including the following

• Past Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander finalists and recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards

• Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board Member/s and

• Reconciliation Australia

We will work with these people informally in developing our programs. In working with them we will grow in our cultural understanding and awareness, and therefore our programs will be more inclusive. When more formal consultation is required we will make use of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network.

These people are our informal advocates conferring legitimacy on our reconciliation endeavours.

CEO

National Manager, Awards

Operations Manager, Awards

Report September annually

All past finalists and recipients are invited to state, territory and national presentations each year, as well as any other appropriate events which take place throughout the year.

Feedback from participation is gained from NADC's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network which will result in more inclusive plans, programs and campaigns.

Consult and collaborate with the Ngunnawal and Ngambri traditional custodians in the development of our event programs in Canberra and foster their involvement both as participants and audiences.

Create similar 'local' relationships whenever we present events in other locations.

CEO Implement November 2013, Report September annually

Feedback is gained from NADC's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders which will result in inclusive events.

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Encourage Australia Day network staff to build relationships with their state reconciliation organisations and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders where they have no relationship already. Having close relationships will assist them as they develop and implement their business and program plans.

CEO Report September annually

All states/territories have effective relationships.

At least every second year a cultural awareness professional development activity will be included in network meetings.

All staff are encouraged to attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural celebrations and other positive cultural events such as Reconciliation Week.

Corporate Director


Information about Reconciliation Week and other cultural celebrations and events are distributed to staff members.

All staff are given the opportunity to participate in at least one cultural celebration annually.

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Respect

As the organisation responsible for Australia's national day, the NADC values and respects the unique and rich contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to the development of our nation. In addition, we believe that the NADC can play an important role in encouraging positive engagement and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community.

Focus area: Publicly celebrating our respect of the history and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.


All NADC Programs are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and reconciliation themes where appropriate e.g. education resources, performer selection, selection of themes and speakers in conferences and seminars.

All program staff Report September annually

Events and programs are inclusive where appropriate and possible.

Acknowledgement of Country and /or Welcome to Country are a part of all NADC events and major meetings including board meetings.

National Manager, Australian of the Year Awards

National Manager, Australia Day


Protocols implemented at all NADC events and major meetings.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are displayed as part of all NADC events, including all Awards events.

At non-NADC events, such as those hosted by sponsors or national leaders, we will recommend displaying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

National Manager, Australian of the Year Awards



Protocols implemented at all NADC and partner events.

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Provide cross cultural training opportunities for NADC staff and Australia Day network staff.

CEO

Corporate Director


Appropriate cross cultural awareness and protocols briefing is part of induction for all NADC staff.

All NADC staff members attend cultural awareness training within 12 months of beginning service.

All NADC spokespeople are confidently able to give an acknowledgement of Country. Any new spokespeople are given training in giving an acknowledgement of country.

Cultural awareness training or experience scheduled for network staff a minimum of once every two years.

A session addressing cultural awareness scheduled at the biennial Australia Day Community Conference.

All staff are encouraged to attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural celebrations and other positive cultural events such as NAIDOC Week

Corporate Director


Information about NAIDOC Week and other cultural celebrations and events are distributed to staff members.

All staff are given the opportunity to participate in at least one cultural celebration annually.

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Opportunities

The NADC is uniquely positioned to promote the stories of outstanding Australian role models through the Australian of the Year Awards. We are committed to ensuring that these opportunities are widely known and that we maintain the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to engage with our programs. Our Australia Day programs also provide an opportunity for the NADC to provide leadership in the symbolic aspects of reconciliation.

Focus area: Using our position of leadership to promote the stories of high achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and create opportunities for interaction between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the wider Australian community.


The NADC will support efforts to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We will encourage our staff, stakeholders and all Australians to join in a national conversation and its value to national identity.


Ensure NADC staff and key stakeholders are engaged in the conversation on the best options for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NADC will seek to maintain the inclusion of at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person on the NADC Board by making representations to the Minister responsible and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.


NADC always has at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander board member.

Advertising for all staff vacancies at the NADC will state that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

NADC senior staff vacancies to be advertised in the Koori Mail.

Corporate Director


All advertised positions include this line and advertised appropriately.

Encourage Australia Day network organisations to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person on their committees.


States/territories to have at least one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person on their committees.

Recognise meritorious, outstanding and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Australian of the Year Awards.



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are well represented as finalists and recipients in the Australian of the Year Awards program.

Include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the selection process of Australian of the Year finalists.



Ensure there is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative at the selection panel meeting in each state or territory.

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Include high achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in key roles for Australia Day at events in every state and territory.



Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are included as Ambassadors.

Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers and presenters are included at our events.

Target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the Awards (call for nominations, finalists and recipients) and other programs by NADC's PR contractor issuing media releases and placing stories in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media.

Target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media profiling NADC's leadership role in reconciliation.




Stories run in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media.

The NADC will endeavour to use Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers and contractors

Corporate Director


Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers are included when quotes for suppliers are required.

RAP refreshed for 2014-2016, approved by Reconciliation Australia and publicly celebrated.


March 2014 NADC RAP is available on both the Reconciliation Australia and NADC websites.

A latest news item is published on the Australia Day website and on Facebook.

RAP is distributed to all staff and the Australia Day Network.

An email is sent to all our corporate partners outlining NADC RAP commitments.

Progress updates on the actions and targets of the RAP will be reported to the NADC Board annually.


RAP progress reported to the Board annually.

RAP reported on and reviewed annually.



RAP Report submitted to Reconciliation Australia and publicly celebrated on both the Reconciliation Australia and NADC websites.

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2014 Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes.

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innovative reconciliation action plan 2014-2016 41679 reconciliat… · innovative reconciliation...

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