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Recordings of previous events

Missed one of our Reconciliation Action plan events? Catch up on demand.

Video - Aboriginal Programs: supporting great careers in NSW Education

Duration – 1:08:37
Aboriginal Programs work to ensure Aboriginal peoples play an increasing role in the education and training of young Australians. Aboriginal students improve their learning outcomes and build their personal strengths when Aboriginal staff and communities are involved in their education. You can help us increase Year 12 completion rates, expand culturally inclusive learning programs and promote opportunities for Aboriginal communities to engage with school life. There is a constant demand for Aboriginal applicants. Aboriginal Programs will help you at every stage, starting with finding the right job and then building your skills and capabilities at work.

Video – Talking respectfully about Aboriginal Cultures, Kinship and Histories

Duration – 1:01:50
This webinar is part of a series that will help you to learn about terminology that is inclusive and respectful of Aboriginal peoples. In this webinar we'll talk specifically about important aspects of culture like the Dreaming, Sorry Business and Men’s & Women’s Business, Country and Custodianship; you'll learn a little about kinship (and how to respectfully acknowledge Elders); and we'll discuss using truthful language to speak about Australia’s history and Aboriginal histories.

Video – You can't say that

Duration – 57:08
This webinar is a 101 of how to use appropriate terminology that is inclusive and respectful of Aboriginal peoples and their histories and cultures.

Transcript of You can't say that video.

Video – Aboriginal astronomy

Duration – 47:16
Did you know that Aboriginal astronomy existed long before the Babylonians and the Ancient Greeks first looked up and began to observe the Sun, Moon and stars to inform navigation, calendars, and predict weather? Professor Ray Norris is an astrophysicist and science communicator. He's also the co-author of 'Emu Dreaming', about Aboriginal Astronomy and current research in this area. In this webinar he shares some of his findings and discusses some astronomical traditional and stories, and their practical applications for Aboriginal peoples. This webinar is an opportunity to understand and appreciate a little more about the richness of Aboriginal histories and cultures.

Transcript of Aboriginal astronomy video.

Video – Author’s talk with Jasmine Seymour

Duration – 31:59
Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman and a NSW public primary school teacher, she's also the author of 'Baby Business' and co-author of 'Cooee Mittigar'. In this webinar Jasmine shares some of the personal history and stories behind ‘Baby Business’ and performs a reading of this delightful children’s book. Baby Business tells the story of a Darug baby smoking ceremony that welcomes baby to Country. The smoke is a blessing – it will protect the baby and remind them that they belong. This beautiful ritual is recounted in a way young children will completely relate to and is enhanced by gentle illustrations. This webinar is an opportunity for everyone – but especially for young children – to learn about and to appreciate the beauty of this aspect of Darug culture.

Transcript of Author’s talk with Jasmine Seymour video.

Video – Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country: confidence with the basics

Duration – 45:56
Feel nervous, unsure or just a bit awkward giving an Acknowledgement of Country? Don't really understand the difference between an Acknowledgement and a Welcome? Been asked to organise a Welcome to Country and don't know where to start? This webinar is hosted by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members of the RAP team who help with these questions and more.

Transcript of Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country: confidence with the basics video.

Other questions

In this recorded session, we didn’t get to all of the thought-provoking questions asked in the chat – so we’ve provided some responses below:

Without asking, because as a non-Indigenous person I wouldn't feel right asking, how do we know when is/isn't it right to use the term Aunty and Uncle for Elders?

Aboriginal people traditionally refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms – so even though you might feel a bit odd or uncomfortable it is appropriate to ask.

An Aboriginal Elder may also invite people to call the Aunty or Uncle.

Should an Acknowledgement of Country include emerging Elders?

There are differing views on this. Some people (including some Aboriginal members of our RAP team) see it as appropriate, while others have concerns that it undermines the traditional status and authority of Elders.

You can also acknowledge the contributions of all Aboriginal people including young people.

If my organisation wants to have a RAP, what is the best process?

Reconciliation Australia are the lead body for reconciliation in Australia and can help you to develop an official Reconciliation Action Plan.

How often should you do an Acknowledgement of Country for a meeting/gathering. Is it only at the beginning or should it be each speaker?

There are no firm rules but particularly for large or formal meetings it can be appropriate for each speaker to acknowledge Country.

I've heard some people say that doing an Acknowledgement too many times means it can become tokenistic. What can I do so that it’s not?

We will be providing a further webinar that talks more about this. But in essence, it’s important to be genuine in the way you speak – to think about the words you are saying and their meaning and hopefully that sincerity will be heard by your audience.

Once you feel comfortable with the ‘basic’ phrasing it might be time to branch out a little – educate yourself about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories cultures and achievements (our Resources are a good place to start) and you could talk about what you have learned and/or link what you say to the topic of your meeting. Just remember to be diligent in making sure what you say is both correct and appropriate.

Remember as well that an Acknowledgement shouldn’t be used in place of a Welcome for large or significant events.

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