At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
The theme of 2024 National Reconciliation Week is ‘Now More Than Ever’ and like many businesses the SA Business Chamber is currently working through the development of its own Reconciliation Action Plan.
The Chamber has formed a working group led by external facilitator Nicole Gollan, Director, and Founder of Nik & Co Consultancy.
Nicole is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, mother, daughter, aunty, sister, and NanNan, and is regarded as one of the most respected voices on formulating meaningful RAPs.
Nicole’s approach is grounded in education, and she stresses that if businesses are thinking about engaging in RAPs, and don’t know where to start, sourcing Aboriginal Consultants is the key.
“Sourcing Aboriginal Consultants who hold expertise in guiding and supporting reconciliation in industry, will create an informed and inclusive vision for your organisations reconciliation journey”.
“RAPs are based around the core pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities, and governance. This framework provides tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting self-determination”.
Nicole says that it is important for businesses to understand before they engage in a RAP, that financial and human resources are required to make long term collaborative change.
“Be prepared to budget and resource the engagement of such Aboriginal subject matter experts, as per any other mainstream engagements of subject matter experts”.
“Any organisation can move forward with small incremental changes, but to build for the future holistically and inclusively in today’s rapidly evolving environment means taking brave, bold chances and making informed decisions whilst remaining in tune with the aspirations and needs of Aboriginal peoples”.
“To work with Aboriginal peoples is far more meaningful than doing ‘for’. Working ‘with’, allows for co-designed solutions and co-designed frameworks”.
Over 2,700 organisations have formalised their commitment to reconciliation through a Reconciliation Action Plan.
Reconciliation is not bias and has a place in all corporate settings. The first step is to understand if a RAP is right for your organisation. While everyone can take substantial action for reconciliation, RAPs are specifically designed for workplaces.
To develop a RAP, your organisation must be a workplace, have employees, and have operations in Australia, (among other prerequisites) If your businesses ins interested in developing a RAP, visit https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans/
