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RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2013 – 2017

“Aspiring towards equality through recognition, solidarity and reciprocal relationships”

The Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee 2014 Report

November 2014

The University of Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the University is sited, and pays respect to the Elders of

the Ngunnawal Nation both past and present.

The University’s Vision for ReconciliationAs detailed in the University of Canberra Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2017 (RAP), the University is committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equality and supports open and genuine conversations to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

The University envisions a place of teaching and learning that is culturally inclusive, where aspirations are fostered, diversity is acknowledged and celebrated, and ongoing innovation and positive change is created and recognised.

A unified approach to reconciliation is envisioned through active and meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Building strong networks that locate reconciliation at the core of the University’s activities and structures will enable our University to contribute to pathways leading to equal opportunity, successful careers and positive community interactions.

At the inaugural launch of the original Reconciliation Action Plan 2010 – 2015 on 1 January 2014, Dr Tom Calma noted the importance of ownership of the Reconciliation Action Plan:

… I think what’s important about Reconciliation Action Plans is that they’re not just about a Board Plan, they’re not just a VC’s plan but they’re a plan – a strategy – that

is owned by everybody in the organisation.

This view has been validated through the enactment of actions in the RAP 2013 – 2017, and is evidenced not only through the governance structure but, more importantly, through the involvement of many members of the University community who have facilitated and supported implementation to date.

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Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 – 2017The RAP 2013 – 2017 is a refreshed and updated version of the 2010–2015 Plan, and was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in 2013. It was approved by the University Council at meeting 158 held on 27 June 2013. To celebrate the launch of the updated Plan, and the welcome the new Director of the Ngunnawal Centre, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Parker AO, hosted a dinner at his residence on 13 March 2014.

To support the implementation of the actions, the following governance structure was adopted:

As detailed in the RAP, the University acknowledges that to achieve true reconciliation, change must come about through consultative and collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Accordingly, membership within this governance structure includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians from within and external to the University.

GOVERNANCE

Committee establishment and roleThe Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee (RAPIC) is responsible for overseeing the implementation, review and update of the University’s Reconciliation Plan, and for monitoring the effectiveness of the actions in the Plan. The Committee membership has 17 members, comprising senior members of the University, and is co-chaired by a senior member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Ms Auriel Bloomfield, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Nicholas Klomp.

The Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee is a sub-committee of RAPIC and was formed under the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2013–2015 to advise and assist the University on Indigenous employment. The sub-committee is chaired by the Director of Human Resources, Ms Kirsty Dwyer, and has a membership of five, including two Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander members.

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Figure 1: Governance Structure for Reconciliation at UC

To advise the University on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and opportunities, within University operations and across the sector, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group (Advisory Group) was formed in 2013. The Advisory Group includes five external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and six internal senior members of the University. To facilitate and ensure communication and collaboration between the Implementation Committee and the Advisory Group, the chair of the Advisory Group is also is the co-chair of RAPIC.

Appendix A contains a list of current membership for each committee.

Meeting scheduleThe Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee held three meetings in 2014: Meeting 2014/1 – 19 June 2014 Meeting 2014/2 – 20 August 2014 Meeting 2014/3 – 13 November 2014

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group held three meetings in 2014: Meeting 2014/1 – 20 March 2014 Meeting 2014/2 – 17 July 2014 Meeting 2014/3 – 20 November 2014

The Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee held two meetings in 2014: Meeting 2014/1 – 10 September 2014, Meeting 2014/2 – 24 November 2014.

The work of the committees has been supported by working groups, as required. The meeting schedule for 2015 was approved at RAPIC meeting 2014/3 on 13 November, where it was agreed that three meetings per calendar year for each committee would ensure appropriate oversight and support of the work to implement the actions in the RAP as well as provide adequate and appropriate cross-collaboration among the groups.

OUTCOMES

In line with Reconciliation Australia’s framework, Respect, Relationships and Opportunities are the underlying themes and overt structure of the RAP.

RespectThe University of Canberra believes that respect is developed by fostering unity through shared recognition, celebration and demonstration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge and beliefs.

Action Timeline Progress

Acknowledge the Ngunnawal peoples are the traditional custodians of the land upon which the University’s Canberra campus is based.

The Committee, in coordination with the Advisory Group, are in the process of developing formal guidelines for providing a Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country, which will also enhance cultural understanding.

December 2013 In Progress

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Provision of cultural stole for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students to wear at University of Canberra (UC) Graduation events.

February 2014 Completed

Expand content on the Reconciliation website. July 2014 Ongoing

Faculty and Business Units to incorporate matters related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Business Operational Plans, Policies, and practices to increase access and outcomes.


Establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alumni Association.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alumni activities will commence in 2015.


Engage Adjuncts, Alumni and others to present on cross-cultural matters at a Biennial Conference hosted by UC.

The timeline for this action has been readjusted to 2015, to allow the Committee to consider a number of initiatives around a Biennial Conference.

March 2014 Refocused

2014 highlights

Welcome to and Acknowledgement of CountryWelcoming and acknowledging that the Ngunnawal peoples are the traditional custodians of the land the University’s Canberra campus is based is a way of demonstrating respect. The University demonstrates this respect through giving a Welcome to Country at significant University events and through an Acknowledgement of Country, which is observed at a range of meetings and/or gatherings, as well as in online media and publications. Some examples in 2014 include:

Welcome to Country Acknowledgement of Country

The University’s Commencement Ceremony Opening of Cooper Lodge Launch of UC Collaborative Indigenous Research

Initiative (CIRI) At the start of the University’s Stronger Smarter

Schools Project Leadership Training Programme Reception of Mr Timothy Papandreou, as part of

the Building the Cycling Capital event.

Given at key University meetings, and events (e.g. University Council, Academic Board, Reconciliation meetings, Guest Lectures, Dinner events)

Displayed on the University web-site Displayed in Publications

o Registration Orientation Week Guideo Course Guide for Prospective Studentso UC Annual Report (from 2015)o Course Prospectuses (from 2015)o Unit Outline (from Semester 1, 2015)

Provision of cultural stoleThe University gives a cultural stole to all graduating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are registered with the Ngunnawal Centre.

National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) WeekNAIDOC Week is usually held from the first Sunday to the second July, which was 6 to 13 July 2014, with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for 2014 was Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond.

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The University celebrates this week annually through a range activities. A UC 4 Yourself Expo Road show was held as part of the NAIDOC Week Festivities at the Wreck Bay Indigenous Community on the South Coast of NSW. The Roadshow Expo highlights included:

Ardie the Robot, demonstrating what can be achieved in IT and software development; Paper Pilots demonstrations including physics and design principles; science experiments including “make your own slime” face painting and interactive cooking

demonstrations; information on courses, costs, accommodation and scholarships; attendance by students and staff from across the University, joined by mentors from the

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).

As detailed in the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2013 2015, Aboriginal and Torres Strait‐Islander staff are support(ed) to participate in activities of a cultural or ceremonial nature. The University funded staff and students to attend the annual ACT NAIDOC Ball.

Alumni NetworkAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates may register to join the University of Canberra Alumni Network (http://www.canberra.edu.au/alumni). Membership to the alumni network is free and graduates registering are asked to identify if they are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, which will enable activity specific invitations to alumni events, where appropriate.

Ms Madelaine Sealy, Ngunnawal Centre, was appointed an Alumni Representative on 26 September 2014 for a two-year period commencing 1 January 2015. She will work with the Alumni Office to plan IndigenousAlumni activities in 2015.

RelationshipsThe University of Canberra supports reciprocal engagement and meaningful dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and believes that building strong partnerships into all aspects of our work will ensure our actions demonstrate our commitments.


Establish the Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee. September 2013 Completed

Engage an Aboriginal Elder through the United Ngunnawal Elders Council (UNEC) to work with the University to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes.

An Aboriginal Elder, the Chair of UNEC, is a member of the University of Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, who provides advice and information to the University to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes.

December 2013 Refocused

Establish a Faculty based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in-Residence program.

August 2014 In Progress

Increase awareness of reconciliation during Reconciliation Week. Annually Ongoing

Action Timeline Progress of 14

Ms Madelaine Sealy

http://www.canberra.edu.au/alumni

Establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group. April 2014 Completed

Raise the profile of Reconciliation at the University of Canberra. June 2014 Ongoing

Increase student and graduate awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultures.

This action is being met in several ways, and will remain ongoing. Examples of achievement in 2014 include:

University Education Committee endorsement of the paper to include the Acknowledgement of Country in every Unit Outline.

Inclusion of cultural awareness in the University’s Common First Year Unit.

June 2015 Ongoing

Develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and academic exchange program with other Australian and International Universities for the benefit of staff and students.

July 2015 To Commence

Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teaching Fellowships.

This is included in the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2013 – 2017 and is part of the Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee.

September 2014 In Progress

Develop a broad cross-spectrum Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suite of research scholarships for undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate students.

June 2015 In Progress

Investigate the feasibility of establishing an identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pastoral Care position.

A pastoral care position specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is embedded within the Ngunnawal Centre. A review of this program will be conducted in December 2015 to ensure the outcomes are being achieved.

July 2015 Review in 2016

Expand the existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Leaders Ambassador Program.

December 2015 Completed

University to establish connections with schools, NGOs and Aboriginal organisations.


University to develop/expand its relationships with organisations that are focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational access and outcomes.


Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait people’s successes through profiling of students and staff through UC media, website, relevant publications, annual reports and other relevant marketing material.

September 2014 Ongoing

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2014 highlights

Faculty based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander In-Residence program

Reconciliation WeekReconciliation Week is for all Australians to build relationships and learn about shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to and join the reconciliation effort (www.reconciliation.org.au). It is celebrated each year between 27 May and 3 June, these dates commemorating two significant reconciliation milestones, the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The University supports this celebration through a range of activities, for example Ms Lisa Jackson Pulver presented a lecture as part of the Ngunnawal Lecture Series, and a morning tea was hosted by the Ngunnawal Centre, Human Resources and Widening Participation, Student Engagement.

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Mr Samuel Wagan Watson, poet, worked within the Faculty of Arts and Design. Activities that Mr Wagan was involved in included: speaking at the Faculty of Arts mini-symposium on poetry; conducting a poetry workshop; giving a lecture to undergraduate students; participating in one-to-one sessions with HDR students and

Indigenous students at the Ngunnawal Centre; instrumental in getting Us Mob, the local Indigenous writer’s

group on campus; and contributing poems to the forthcoming anthology of poems in

Chinese translation (Naikan Tao’s project).

Samuel Wagan Watson interactingwith Faculty of Arts students

The University hosts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander discipline specific experts through its In-Residence program. The broad aim of the program is to support reciprocal engagement and meaningful dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2014, Professorial Fellow Pat Anderson worked on Indigenous affairs with the Faculty of Health where she provided a number of lectures, including the Constitutional Reform for Recognition of Australia’s First Peoples. Lectures were captured on video for future use. Professorial Fellow Anderson also provided mentoring and advice to staff and students.

Professorial Fellow Pat Anderson with Dr Tom Calma AO

Celebrating success and raising the profile of Reconciliation

Article Title (Monitor Online) Date (2014)

New UC Chancellor calls for a fairer AustraliaUC Legal eagle soars on study tourGraduate explores Indigenous IdentityTop Indigenous grad wins UC medalMainstream music biz off key for Indigenous actsThe Ngunnawal Centre new home on campusUC Top tertiary team for mum's run

20 February26 March14 April15 April17 April24 April30 May

AmbassadorsThe University has been working to provide enhanced service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through a range of enhanced academic and pastoral support activities and programs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspiration Agents have been appointed to act as Ambassadors and have been provided with training to enhance their leadership.

Building relationships with a range of organisationsThe University is forging solid relationships with entities that are focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education access and outcomes, including the:

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) Aurora Project Stronger Smarter Institute ACT Aboriginal Education Consultative Group NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

and is establishing and developing relationships with schools, NGOs and Aboriginal organisations, such as the ACT Indigenous Elected Body, Centre for Indigenous Leadership (Canberra) and the Centre of Indigenous Excellence (Redfern).

OpportunitiesThe University of Canberra contributes towards the advancement of reconciliation through the identification and delivery of opportunities that will lead to real change.


Continue to refine the UC Indigenous Employment Strategy with the aim of increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic and general staff.

The Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee is currently working on a recruitment policy and reviewing and updating the UC Indigenous Employment Strategy with the goal of increasing and retaining the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working at the University.


Establish the annual UC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Academic Prizes/Awards for Excellence, for students.

December 2013 Completed

Establish the UC Diversity Award for Reconciliation. December 2013 Completed

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Create a strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate and HDR research students enrolling and graduating from UC.

December 2014 To Commence

Vice-Chancellor to set Key Performance Indicators related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and student targets in Senior Executive Professional Development Review (PDRs).

Annually On-going

Career development, mentoring and facilitating employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

This action has been absorbed into the work of the Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee.

December 2014 Refocused

Assess the feasibility of developing delivery of UC programs to Aboriginal communities and organisations in regional locations.

June 2014 Ongoing

Further develop entry pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Program has recently been transferred to the University of Canberra College (UCC), and is run in collaboration with the Ngunnawal Centre. This program serves as an entry pathway for students who do not meet the University’s admission criteria.


Identify strategies to ensure equal opportunity regarding procurement of products from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business.

The University places all its open tenders on the Tenderlink web-site and provides free access for organisations linked with the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council.


Identify ways in which to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture within the UC campus environment.


Identify opportunities for use of on-campus accommodation for attraction and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students


Commit to develop a seed funding program for collaborative, socially responsible research with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on issues of relevance and importance to them and in conjunction with priority research areas of the University.

Establish a biennial conference to disseminate results of the research.

June 2015 To Commence

2014 highlights

Awards and PrizesThe following Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic prizes/awards for excellence were established in 2014:

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1. Tom Calma MedalThis medal is awarded in honour of the University of Canberra's first Indigenous Chancellor, Dr Tom Calma AO. The Tom Calma Medal is presented annually to a graduating Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student considered to have achieved outstanding academic results and to have made a valuable contribution to the University or wider community. Nominations can be made by any member of staff or the University community.

2. The Ngunnawal Centre PrizeThis prize is valued at $250 and is sponsored by the Dean of Student’s Office. It’s awarded to the highest academic achieving Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student graduating from the University of Canberra in each graduation round. The first prize was given out at the October graduation ceremonies.

The annual Vice-Chancellor's Equity and Diversity Award was established in 2013 and is awarded to staff members and/or students of the University of Canberra and the University of Canberra College who have made an outstanding and demonstrable contribution to equity and diversity within the University community. The award is made in recognition of a person’s contributions that exceed the University’s normal expectations of staff members or student who achieve one of the following purposes: promoting fair and equitable access to education or employment for all people, regardless of their

background; redressing disadvantage caused by unequal access to education or employment; building strong relationships and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and

other Australians; recognising, valuing, supporting and respecting the social, cultural and linguistic diversity of the

University community.

Delivery of UC programs to Aboriginal communities and organisations in regional locationsA number of programs to break down barriers to higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are being delivered across the region. These include the UC Aurora Project, the UC ACT Indigenous Success (ACT-IS) Project and the UC Stronger Smarter Schools Project. The UC Aurora Project was recently awarded another $2.2M by the Commonwealth to support the Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour, scholarships for Indigenous students, and continuation of the delivery of the Academic Enrichment Program (TAI). Phase 1 of the ACT-IS Project is being delivered in 12 Schools across the region and the Phase 2 pilot pathways program will be delivered in two school hubs in 2015. The pathways program has been approved by Admissions Committee as a pathway to the University of Canberra. The UC Stronger Smarter Schools Project has been delivered to school principals, teachers and community members from across the region at two locations this year. Twenty-four participants from the Act and NSW participated at Jervis Bay in February and May and another 24 at the University of Canberra in October.

Career development, mentoring and facilitating employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesA work-ready program has been delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students this year in the Ngunnawal Centre and an expansion of the program to include internships, is under development by the Career Service in collaboration with the Ngunnawal Centre.

Guaranteed accommodationThe University has worked in collaboration with the Accommodation Services to provide ten guaranteed rooms for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

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Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within the UC campus environmentThe University holds an Indigenous art collection, with artwork installed across the campus, including at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, Bimbimbie. Recognition encompasses a broad range of achievements beyond art, and a group was formed to foster and discuss other innovative and creative ways to recognise culture within the University campus.

Professor Nicholas KlompDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) &Co-Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee

Ms Auriel BloomfieldChair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group &Co-Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group Membership 2014

Member Name Member Position AppointedMs Auriel Bloomfield Chair 01-Jan-14Professor Nicholas Klomp Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) 01-Jan-14Associate Professor Michele Fleming Dean of Students 01-Jan-14Professor Lyndon Anderson A Faculty Dean 01-Jan-14Mr Craig Dukes Director, Ngunnawal Centre 01-Jan-14Dr Linda Hort Director, UC College 01-Jan-14Ms Roslyn BrownUnited Elders Ngunnawal Council

Member of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal community

01-Jan-01

Ms Caroline HughesDirector of Yurauna Centre, CIT

Member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community

01-Jan-14

Mr Romlie MokakChief Executive Officer Lowitja Institute


01-Jan-14

Ms Fiona PetersenChair Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Group


17-Jul-14

Mr John Sales President, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Association

01-Jan-14

Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee Membership 2014

Member Name Member Position Appointed

Professor Nicholas Klomp Co-Chair 01-Jan-14

Ms Auriel Bloomfield Co-Chair 01-Jan-14

Professor Frances Shannon Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) 01-Jan-14

Professor Simon Riding Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global) 16-Oct-14

Professor Geoffrey Riordan Dean ESTeM 01-Jan-14

Professor Lyndon Anderson Dean Faculty of Arts 01-Jan-14

Professor Lawrence Pratchett Dean Faculty of Business, Government & Law 01-Jan-14

Professor Diane Gibson Dean Faculty of Health 01-Jan-14

A/Professor Michele Fleming Dean of Students 01-Jan-14Ms Maria Storti Vice-President Governance and Development 19-Jun-14Dr Linda Hort Director University of Canberra College 01-Jan-14Ms Kirsty Dwyer Director Human Resources 01-Jan-14Mr Scott Nichols Director Student Administration & Planning 01-Jan-14Ms Inga Davis Director Advancement Marketing and

Communications Executive01-Jan-14

Mr Craig Dukes Director Ngunnawal Centre 01-Jan-14Mr Jacob White President University of Canberra Students'

Association01-Jan-14

Ms Hayley McQuire Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Student 01-Jan-14

Indigenous Employment Advisory Sub-Committee Membership 2014

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Member Name Member Position AppointedMs Kirsty Dwyer Director Human Resources 20-Aug-14Professor Nick Klomp Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Member 20-Aug-14

Professor Lawrence Pratchett Dean Faculty of Business, Government & Law, Member

20-Aug-14

Mr Craig Dukes Director Ngunnawal Centre, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Representative

20-Aug-14

Ms Kate Thomann CEO, Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Representative

20-Aug-14

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