Mayor Margaret O’Rourke said the plan was developed following an extensive community engagement process with traditional owners, the broader indigenous community, city staff and the general public.
“Council is strongly committed to reconciliation and the new plan provides a clear direction for the city to continue to advance reconciliation and support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for the next four years,” she said.
“The plan articulates how the city and other partner organisations will engage in reconciliation and includes the city’s responsibilities under the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Recognition and Settlement Agreements.
“It builds on the progress of the city’s first Reconciliation Plan 2016-2019 and sets out actions and strategies to further advance reconciliation both internally and externally with key partnerships.”
New themes and actions featured in the Reconciliation Plan include:
● Improving indigenous employment and economic outcomes by setting indigenous procurement and employment targets for the city to achieve over the next four years.
● Increasing the visibility of indigenous culture, history and landscapes across Greater Bendigo through public art, interpretative signage, public performances, open space works and initiatives.● Working with traditional owners to promote indigenous place naming and the use of Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung language in public spaces across the municipality.
● Working with Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative to improve organisational cultural safety and to ensure the City’s direct service provision is culturally responsive.
● Actions that focus on youth leadership, employment and training pathways related to indigenous young people.
● Improving the city’s delivery of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Recognition and Settlement Agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 and improving engagement with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
● Seeking opportunities to celebrate the role and contribution of local elders and older indigenous people to the Greater Bendigo community.
● Providing further support to First Nations artists, performers and productions.
NAIDOC Week will run from November 9 to 15 next year.
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