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NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL CATCHMENTS COUNCIL REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan June 2017 - June 2018
Transcript of NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL CATCHMENTS COUNCIL REFLECT › wp-content › uploads › 2017 › 11 ›...
NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL CATCHMENTS COUNCIL
REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan
June 2017 - June 2018
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We would like to acknowledge the Noongar and Yamaji people who are the Traditional Owners and original
natural resource managers of the land and sea in the Northern Agricultural Region.
We also pay our respects to the Noongar and Yamaji Elders past, present and future and acknowledge the
unique natural resource management skills that Aboriginal people have in supporting our region’s natural
assets.
Artwork titled “Seeds’ by Malgana Artist Bianca McNeair
This program is supported by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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Our Business
NACC is one of Australia’s 56 regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations working to accomplish nation-wide management, restoration and protection of Australia’s natural environment by addressing national environmental priorities at the regional level. NACC’s vision is to build a community committed to environmental stewardship. As a not-for-profit NRM organisation now in its second decade of operation, NACC’s purpose remains to support people to support the natural environment across the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of Western Australia (WA). As a grass-roots, member-based organisation, NACC delivers activities and programs in collaboration with community groups, all levels of government, non-government organisations, businesses, agencies and authorities to conserve and enhance natural assets and advance sustainable outcomes in the region. In addition to our whole-of-community approach, all of NACC’s core programs seek to consult and engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for mutually-beneficial outcomes – to provide advice, and to participate in Working on Country, and to record and preserve Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). NACC employs up to 30 staff spread across five offices in the NAR. NACC’s Aboriginal Participation Team employs one part time Aboriginal person.
The NAR covers 7.5 million hectares of WA, stretching across valuable agricultural land and environmental sites. The NAR runs from Gingin in the south to Kalbarri in the north, east to Mullewa, Perenjori and Kalannie, down the ‘clearing line’ that delineates farming from pastoral land. The coastline and waters (to three nautical miles and including the Abrolhos islands) also form part of the region.
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Map of Aboriginal languages in the Northern Agricultural Region
The NACC region includes traditional land of two Aboriginal groups:
(i) Yamaji (also spelled Yamatji) people – the Traditional Owners of
land and coastal waters to the north of the region; and
(ii) Noongar people (also spelt Nyoongar) – the Traditional Owners of
land and coastal waters to the south of the region.
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Our Reconciliation Action Plan
NACC is committed to the Reconciliation journey and our engagement with the Aboriginal community. NACC is committed to increased Aboriginal participation in natural resource management, and to applying TEK to its programs wherever possible and practical. It is also committed to raising general awareness of TEK, and to further empowering Aboriginal custodians – through training in natural resource management, and community engagement. NACC recognises the unique understanding and management skills that Aboriginal people have in supporting the regions natural resources and is committed to supporting Traditional Owners and the transfer and documentation of TEK in the NAR. NACC recognises the intrinsic link that Aboriginal culture has to Country, Language, Lore and Dreaming and acknowledge that all are directly related to specific Country. Together, these elements provide an identification method for Aboriginal people, and a path for the transfer and practice of ancient traditional ecological knowledge.
Our Reconciliation journey to date has included, all staff participating in Cultural Awareness Professional development course developed in consultation with Aboriginal staff member Patrick Mullaley in 2008 , Heritage planning for four Culturally significant sites, Warlgu Trail (interpretive signage and trail development), Capacity Building for Indigenous Prison Inmates (on ground conservation work and Certificate II and III in Conservation and Land Management with Central Regional TAFE),62 Yamaji sites of cultural significance registered with Department Aboriginal Affairs under the Heritage Act, over 20 Noongar sites registered with Department of Aboriginal Affairs under the Heritage Act, Marlaguwinmanha Bush Camp (return to country) 2016 and NAIDOC Bush Medicine workshop, Aboriginal Engagement bulletin Board in NACC staff room. Our RAP Champion is NACC’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer Bianca McNeair.
NACC’s RAP working group includes, Greg Burrows: Aboriginal Participation Coordinator, Bianca McNeair: Aboriginal Liaison Officer (1 Aboriginal member), Richard McLellan: CEO, Jessica Stingemore: Biodiversity Coordinator, Sally Fenner: Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator.
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Our Partnerships / Current Activities
Community partnerships Barrel Well Aboriginal Community Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation Kwelena Mambakoort Aboriginal Organisation Wandina Primary School Binyaarns Bush Medicines Bundibunna Aboriginal Corporation Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre Bush Heritage Australia City of Greater Geraldton Department of Corrective Services Department of Aboriginal Affairs Greenough Regional Prison Gunduwa Regional Conservation Organisation Jooldarnoo Aboriginal Corporation Kevin Baron: Badgingarra Moora District High School Moore Catchment Council Naaguja – Warangkarri Aboriginal Corporation Ninghan Station (IPA) Noongar Booja Language Centre Rangelands NRM Rangeway Primary School South West Land and Sea Council Western Mulga Pty Ltd Yamaji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation Shire of Chapman Valley Department of Parks and Wildlife Central Regional TAFE
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Internal activities/initiatives include
Yamaji Yarns, a monthly e newsletter that introduces NACC staff and Board to
local Aboriginal culture and protocols. Subjects include Aboriginal Identity and connection to country, Wajarri language, Nhanda language, Communication protocols, NAIDOC, Reconciliation Week.
City of Greater Geraldton Reconciliation event stall (2 June 2016)
Stall included information on Coastal and inland native plant species, Test your Traditional Ecological Knowledge competition: participants were asked to match the animal track to the Aboriginal language words for the animal and prizes (two books written by local Aboriginal Elders) were presented to one school group and one individual community member. Comment board (in pic on left) was painted by Bianca McNeair and participants were asked to comment on the topic question, which was ‘How do you care for country?’ Comments are recorded and used as feedback and documentation.
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NAIDOC Bush Medicine workshop with Noongar Elders Vivienne and Mort Hansen, 4th July 2016 As part of NAIDOC week 2016, NACC supported a free Aboriginal Bush Medicines community workshop for people in Geraldton to learn about the amazing healing properties of Australian native plants, and how to turn them into medicinal ointments, creams and scrubs.
Marlaguwinmanha – back to the bush ABCOpen Documentary on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and connecting Aboriginal kids to traditional country (Marlaguwinmanha – back to the bush), promoted by ABC for NAIDOC week 2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-06/murchison-elders-pass-on-indigenous-cultural-knowledge/7574128 14.2k views on ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt Facebook page (as of 1 Jan 2017)
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Capacity Building for Indigenous Prison Inmates (ongoing, providing on ground NRM works for various stakeholders
and Certificate II and III training in conservation and land management for minimal security inmates at Greenough Regional Prison.
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NACC REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan 2017
Relationships
Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility
Review and update the RAP Working Group
Review and update the Working Group to ensure it is operational to support the development of our RAP, comprising of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and decision-making staff from across our organisation.
June, 2017 Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
RAP Working Group (RWG) actively monitors RAP development and implementation of actions, tracking progress and reporting
RWG oversees the development, endorsement and launch of the RAP.
Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are represented on the RWG.
Meet at least twice per year to monitor and report on RAP implementation.
Establish Terms of Reference for the RWG.
Engage our senior leaders in the delivery of RAP outcomes.
July, 2017
July, 2017
July, 2017
July, 2017
July, 2017
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
Build internal and external relationships
Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations within our local area or sphere of
August, 2017
Coordinator, Aboriginal
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influence that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey.
Develop a list of RAP organisations and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey.
Build partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations.
August, 2017
August, 2017
Participation Program
Participate in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW)
Encourage our staff to attend a NRW event.
Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff.
Ensure our RWG participates in an external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.
June, 2017
June, 2017
June, 2017
Coordinator, Sustainable Agriculture Program
Raise internal and external awareness of our RAP
Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness amongst all
staff across the organisation about our RAP commitments.
Develop and implement a plan to engage and inform key internal
stakeholders of their responsibilities within our RAP.
Invite external stakeholders to the RAP Launch, publishing the RAP on NACC website, promote launch in NACC notes, media release to Geraldton Guardian, publishing the NACC RAP on Reconciliation Australia Website etc.
August, 2017
August, 2017
August, 2017
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
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Respect
Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility
Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development
Develop a business case for increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements within our organisation.
Capture data and measure our staff’s current level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievement.
Conduct a review of cultural awareness training needs within our organisation.
December, 2017
December, 2017
December, 2017
Chief Executive Officer, Northern Agricultural Catchment Council
Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week
Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff of the meaning of NAIDOC Week which includes information about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in our local area.
Ensure our RWG participates in an external NAIDOC Week event.
July, 2017
July, 2017
July, 2017
Coordinator, Biodiversity Program
Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols
Explore who the Traditional Owners are of the lands and waters in our local area.
Scope and develop a list of local Traditional Owners of the lands and waters within our organisations sphere of influence.
Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness and understanding of the meaning and significance behind
September, 2017
September, 2017
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
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Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols (including any local cultural protocols).
Display acknowledgement signage of Traditional Owners at all NACC offices.
Conduct Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies at NACC events where appropriate.
September, 2017
September, 2017
September, 2017
Consider Aboriginal
practices, and spiritual
and cultural values
across all of NACC’s
NRM themes to support
the conservation and
protection of the natural
environment.
Develop and produce TEK promotional material including purchase of TEK design/s from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artist and promoting Aboriginal connection to country.
Meet with each NACC program coordinator at three month intervals to monitor each programs Aboriginal Participation goals.
Attend NACC staff team meetings held every month to assist with any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement discussions.
Publish monthly Yamaji Yarns cultural awareness e-newsletter.
October, 2017
October, 2017
October, 2017
October, 2017
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
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Opportunities
Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility
Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment
Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation.
Identify current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to inform future employment and development opportunities.
April, 2018
April, 2018
Corporate Services manager, Northern Agricultural Catchments Council
Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity
Develop an understanding of the mutual benefits of procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
May, 2018
May, 2018
Aboriginal Participation Coordinator, Aboriginal Participation Team
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Tracking and Progress
Action Targets Timeline Responsibility
Build support for the RAP
Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation.
Define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report on RAP activities.
Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia.
August, 2017
August, 2017
September, 2017
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program and Coordinator, MERI
Review and refresh RAP
Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to review and refresh RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements.
Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal review and endorsement.
January, 2018
January, 2018
Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program
Contact details Name: Bianca McNeair Position: Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Participation Program Phone: 0447 582 922, 08 9938 0129 Email: [email protected]
