International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9 August each year to promote and protect the rights of First Nations peoples around the world. This day commemorates the first United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in 1982.
On significant dates like these, including National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, we emphasise our commitment to reconciliation by establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship with First Nations peoples.
NAIDOC Week at Business Solutions Geebung
Earlier in the year, First Nations employees we support and best friends – Rowan Boyd and Chris Everingham – from Business Solutions Geebung formed their site’s NAIDOC committee, with the help of staff, to organise an inclusive event during NAIDOC week. The NAIDOC committee – including other First Nations employees, Liz Burke, Elonna Almat and Dallas Fitch – participated in regular meetings leading up to the event on ways they could share their cultures and spark conversations about reconciliation.
Their idea came to life on 7 July 2022 with an Acknowledgement of Country, themed foods, face painting, and music. Click play to meet Rowan, Chris and Liz who shared their thoughts on NAIDOC week and why Acknowledgement of Country is important.
It goes to show that together, in the spirit of reconciliation, we can make possibilities a reality by nurturing a culturally safe and inclusive organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For other ways sites celebrated NAIDOC week, check out our July edition of #TeamPossible news. And click here to learn how to give an Acknowledgement of Country with meaning.
How Site Manager, Kelli Hennessey’s personal journey inspires her at work
Growing up, Kelli was under the impression that her relatives were dark because of their Spanish background.
However, it wasn’t until her biological father’s own personal journey that they discovered they are descendants of Giabal and Jarowair peoples (Toowoomba).
Despite this discovery later in life, Kelli shared that she always had an innate affinity for First Nations peoples.
“My Mum always tells the story of when I was young and she couldn’t find me – I would always be next door with our neighbours, an Indigenous family, sitting around their fire listening to their stories of dreamtime with stars in my eyes,” she said.
Kelli brings this respect to her workplace by breaking barriers and creating a safe space for employees to come together, share and ask questions. Here’s what she had to say about how her team promotes inclusivity at work:
Why was it important for your team to celebrate NAIDOC week?
It is important to engender respect, awe and inspiration for our First Nations people
They were here for thousands of years with unique family structures, amazing natural farming techniques and a connection to Country like no other on earth.
Often in traditional schooling, our Australian children learn more about world history than their own history and culture, at times painful and difficult, but necessary and essential to who we are.
The NAIDOC Committee had an opportunity to speak to their culture. All the employees and staff learned a little bit more about their colleagues and Traditional Owners of the land.
How have you and your team nurtured an inclusive and culturally safe workplace?
We have Toolbox Talks every fortnight on Mondays, where one of our employees does Acknowledgement of Country – this provides a safe space for other employees to ask questions and for our NAIDOC Committee members to answer.
We also have a connection with our local Aboriginal Health Clinic where we take our employees for their health checks. We have a culture of inclusiveness at Geebung – we have trans, Indigenous and non-binary people in our team – ALL are welcome.
Did NAIDOC week provide your team with a better understanding of First Nations cultures and the importance of reconciliation?
We frame understanding around what reconciliation means as ‘how can we partner with our First Nations employees to make the workplace better for everyone’ and ‘how can we help heal from past trauma of First Nations people’.
We do this at Geebung by creating a yarning circle each month – where anyone is welcome to come and talk about Indigenous issues as well as listen to stories. Planning is already underway for NAIDOC 2023.
If you have any ideas or thoughts on how we can strengthen relationships on our journey towards reconciliation, please email us at [email protected].
And if you would like to share your personal journey, we invite you to email [email protected].
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