11939008 - RAP Achievement highlights 2015-2017

LOGAN CITY COUNCIL

INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2015-2017

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Logan City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2017

Achievement Highlights

The Logan City Council Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2015-2017 was adopted by Council in June 2015 and is a strategic Council document outlining a range of actions for Logan City Council to undertake, within its sphere of influence, to contribute to reconciliation in the City of Logan.

Council's first RAP included 70 deliverables under 39 action items which fall within the national framework themes of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities. Over the three year period Council successfully adopted and delivered almost 95% of what was set out to achieve. This document outlines some highlights from those achievements.

RELATIONSHIPS

Getting to know each other better enables effective communication and develops empathy and understanding, which in turn creates respectful relationships and an inclusive community.

Display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags and Acknowledgement of Country

As one of the first achievements of its first RAP and as part of its commitment to reconciliation and being a welcoming and accessible Council for the community, Logan City Council installed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags outside of its main administration building. Council has also installed a prominent Acknowledgement of Country sign alongside the original RAP artwork in the foyer of Council's Administration building as well as Acknowledgement of

Country signage in other prominent Council buildings including Logan Libraries and the Logan Entertainment Centre.

Logan: City of Choice Leadership Team representation

A Logan: City of Choice Leadership Team was in place between 2013 and 2016 to drive the implementation of the Logan: City of Choice Two-Year Action Plan. Led by an independent chair, the Leadership Team comprised of 14 people, including community representatives and subject matter experts along with delegates from local, state and federal government.

The Leadership team has a dedicated seat for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative, which was filled by Wesley Enoch until December 2015, and then by Paula Dewis, a nominated representative by the Logan City First Nation Peoples Coalition.

Mulion-go (Like an eagle): Reginald Knox retrospective

A retrospective exhibition of work by well-known local Aboriginal artist Reginald (Uncle Reg) Knox was held at the Logan Art Gallery from 11 December 2015 to 16 January 2016. Born in Goondiwindi in 1934, Uncle Reg is a Kamilaroi man and was raised at Toomelah Mission at Boggabilla. He has lived in Logan City for the past 40 years, winning admiration and respect over a long period for his outstanding artwork, contribution to the community and commitment to working with young people.

11939008 - RAP Achievement highlights 2015-2017

LOGAN CITY COUNCIL

INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2015-2017

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

RESPECT

Cultural Awareness Guide for Council staff

In consultation with local community representatives and Traditional Custodian groups Logan City Council prepared a guideline to assist staff and elected members to engage and show respect to Logan's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes information such as when and how to undertake an Acknowledgement of Country and provides examples of wording, when it is appropriate to organise a Welcome to Country and information about appropriate and inappropriate terminology.

In addition to the Guide, Council has also produced pocket sized Acknowledgement of Country for quick reference by staff.

Cultural Intelligence Training

Logan City Council underwent an EOI process to procure the services of Banaam to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural intelligence training for Logan City Council staff. Throughout 2017 over 450 Council staff completed this training. In November 2017 all of Council's directors and managers participated in a half-day on-Country experience with the Banaam delivered by Banaam in the Tweed area. The training sessions aim to build the foundation of knowledge of Council staff to enhance cross-cultural competence and engagement both internal and external to Council.

Feedback from the training has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone saying it has increased their desire to learn more. Comments have included:

"For the first time in many years in Australia, I feel a connection with the Land and people. You put in a language that I understand and I thank you"

"This should be mandatory for all employees, at all levels" …it completely shifted my 'paradigm'"

The Banaam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural intelligence training continues to be offered to Council staff through Council’s professional development program.

Celebrating NAIDOC

Logan City Council works closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to host an official flag ceremony in NAIDOC week every year. The event is so popular that the venue has had to change several times to accommodate the growing crowds.

In addition to the flag ceremony, Logan Libraries also host multiple events across several libraries each year, including film screenings, children's workshops, storytelling, yarning circles, guest speakers, etc.

11939008 - RAP Achievement highlights 2015-2017

LOGAN CITY COUNCIL

INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2015-2017

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Logan City Council's Year of Reconciliation 2017

Throughout 2017, all Council employees were invited to take a lead in learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and perspectives. Council's Year of Reconciliation 2017 saw involvement from all areas of the organisation and included a range of practical activities with engagement from staff and community. All Council branches and directorates nominated activities and initiatives that were undertaken throughout the year, which included:

Screenings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander movies and documentaries

Inviting Aboriginal Elders to talk to staff about the community, language and culture

A staff leadership presentation from Nova Peris

Hands-on cultural heritage assessment training

Traditional Aboriginal games

Attendance by staff at Indigenous theatre

Welcome to Country presentations from Traditional Custodians

Increased participation by staff in NAIDOC Week

Art workshops

Excursions to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places and initiatives including Yugambeh Museum, Logan Art Gallery exhibitions etc; and

Inclusion of Acknowledgement of Country in email signatures and internal staff meetings.

Council's Year of Reconciliation was launched on 31 January, with approximately 200 Council representatives in attendance. The event included a Welcome to Country by a local Traditional Owner representative and speeches from the Mayor and Community Services Director.

Reconciliation Learning Circles

As a part of Council's Year of Reconciliation 2017, Council commenced a monthly Reconciliation Learning Circle initiative where staff were

invited to attend a learning opportunity during their lunch break. Learning opportunities around Stolen Generations, Closing the Gap and constitutional recognition were held, and guest speakers and artists were invited to share their knowledge, languages and stories with staff.

11939008 - RAP Achievement highlights 2015-2017

LOGAN CITY COUNCIL

INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2015-2017

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

OPPORTUNITIES

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention Strategy

Logan City Council’s People and Culture branch developed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention Strategy which identifies key actions to support an increase in employment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Logan City Council’s workforce. It addresses all stages of the employment cycle, including employment attraction and selection as well as retention in both the on-boarding process and ongoing employment with Council.

Traineeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

In 2016 Council hosted a special information session for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people on Council's traineeships with the aim of increasing awareness about Council's traineeship program as a great first step into employment with Council. Since then our traineeships have increased from 5% being filled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in 2015 to 20% in 2017.

Procurement and Supplier Diversity

Logan City Council secured Supply Nation membership in 2017. This provides greater visibility for legitimate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to engage in business with Council. In May 2017 Council's procurement team also hosted an Indigenous supplier information session where approximately 20 businesses attended to learn more about how they can engage in business with Council.

Council has updated internal processes to capture information about whether suppliers are Indigenous owned or Supply Nation members and has provided easy access to Supply Nation Indigenous Business Direct on Council's internal procurement site.

Council has also initiated discussions with its stationary and food and beverage suppliers in order to identify opportunities to secure Indigenous-owned products and services. Products from Nallawilli Office Wares and Waddi Springs have been sourced and incorporated into Council's stationary and refreshment stocks.