Plan outlines Council's First Nations vision

NewsCommunity

30 Mar

**Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law with First Nations Partnerships Senior Advisor Stephen Mam with a sample of the Kabi Kabi artists’ work.**

Building stronger relationships between our First Nations peoples and celebrating their culture and heritage remained top priorities as Sunshine Coast Council unanimously endorsed its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan on March 25.

Sunshine Coast Council was the first local government in Queensland to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan with Reconciliation Australia in 2011.

Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the implementation of the plan would continue to build and strengthen the relationships with the Traditional Owners and First Nations People.

“We are following Reconciliation Australia’s framework which outlines four types of RAP – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – that a workplace can develop,” Cr Law said.

“A number of new initiatives have been introduced within council’s new RAP such as the development of a cultural protocol document – including a cultural heritage guideline; the development of a First Nations’ recruitment, retention and professional development strategy; and projects building on council’s existing cultural awareness program and community engagement framework.

“These commitments provide a solid foundation within our organisation before we progress to a Stretch RAP in the future.”

The RAP was developed following consultation and discussions with Traditional Custodians of the Region. The artworks that are presented throughout the RAP document has been created by artists from Kabi Kabi people and Jinibara people.

FAST FACTS

1.9 percent of the Sunshine Coast population identify as a First Nations person.

Council has 29 First Nations employees (As at September 2020).

The Sunshine Coast is the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples. It’s also home to an increasing number of First Nations people originating from across Queensland and Australia.