City of Darwin Council has adopted its first-ever Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2022, which outlines Council's commitment to promoting and working towards greater reconciliation in Darwin.
The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was formally adopted at Council's Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 11 August 2020 and sets out actions that Council will undertake to promote understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Lord Mayor, The Hon Kon Vatskalis JP said the RAP embraces a spirit of unity between Australia's First People and other Australians, acknowledges our shared history including past injustices and celebrates the unique contributions of the First People of this land; the Larrakia People.
"With the adoption of this first-ever Innovate RAP by City of Darwin, it demonstrates that Council is committed to continuing its journey to achieve positive working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to learn, acknowledge and improve our community for the benefit of the people of Darwin.
That journey has already seen the City of Darwin undertake numerous measures towards reconciliation such as establishing sister city relations with Milikapati, engaging a local Larrakia artist to design the Lord Mayor's robes and promoting recognition of Australia's First Peoples through flying the Aboriginal flag and delivering an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of each Council meeting. As a result of the initiatives already in place, City of Darwin was able to move immediately towards developing an Innovate RAP as its initial commitment to reconciliation. Through this RAP, our Council is committed to addressing three key priorities:
- Creating social and economic benefits for Australia's First Peoples;
- Providing youth-focused programs, employment and support; and
- Building a culturally safe workplace and vibrant community.
"Council is honoured to adopt our first-ever RAP, and in doing so, we were joined by the members of the RAP Working Group, who joined Council in the Chamber for this historic event and I would like to acknowledge them for their great work.
The Working Group is formed of 78% Aboriginal members; descendants of Larrakia, Wurramungu, Yolngu, Kabi Kabi, Yanyula, Marrathiel, Yankunytjatjara and Tiwi, and 22% non-Aboriginal Territorians, born on Larrakia and Jawoyn land:
- Richard Fejo
- Lynette Fejo
- Helena Wright
- Alderman Peter Pangquee
- Amy Griesbach
- Mark Pocock
- Sade Waugh
- Tony Vincent
- Tristan Cook
"Our Innovate RAP further encapsulates Council's commitment to the important process of reconciliation and desire to build strong partnerships with the local Indigenous community," Lord Mayor said.
The RAP will now be approved by Reconciliation Australia.
View the Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2022 darwin.nt.gov.au/RAP
