Yindumara

Respect

At PM&C, we acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the custodians of the oldest living cultures, histories, knowledge and experiences in the world. We pay respect to the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples and take pride in continuing to develop our understanding of their rich history. We place great importance in celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to listen and learn together.

Focus area: Working closely with our portfolio agencies, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet aims to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and stakeholders on reconciliation pathways and outcomes. We continue to observe and respect cultural protocols and celebrate First Nations cultures and histories.

Action	Deliverable	Timeline	Responsibility
5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning.	Through review, PM&C will better understand the cultural competency of its people, to provide targeted initiatives which develop the cultural awareness and practice of our workforce.	November 2021	Chief People Officer
	Increase PM&C’s cultural capability offerings and ensure that they meet the needs of our staff and add value to reconciliation efforts.	March 2022	Chief People Officer
	Increase formal and informal opportunities that develop the cultural awareness and practices of our workforce, including building cultural safety.	March 2022	Chief People Officer
	Work with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisors, including the community of trusted advisors, and staff on our cultural learning, training and educational offerings.	June 2022	Chief People Officer
	Develop, implement and communicate a cultural learning strategy for our staff.	March 2022	Chief People Officer
	Increase staff completion of formal cultural competency offerings, and measure capability and competency in each year of the lifetime of the RAP.	December 2021 December 2022	Chief People Officer
	Provide and promote opportunities for RAPWG members, HR managers and other key leadership staff including SES to participate in formal and informal cultural learning.	December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023	Chief People Officer
	RAPWG Members will participate in Beyond Cultural Competency training to extend practical skills and knowledge of issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.	December 2021 December 2022	Reconciliation Champion
	Biographies of First Nations peoples will be made available in meeting rooms so that staff may pay respect to, learn about and honour the history of the individuals that the rooms are named after.	December 2022	Finance/Property/Security Branch Assistant Secretary
6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.	Increase staff understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.	September 2021	Chief People Officer
	PM&C’s First Nations Cultural Protocol Guide will be updated, promoted and available to all staff on the Department’s intranet.	July 2021	Chief People Officer
	Invite local Traditional Owners or Custodians to provide a Welcome to Country or other appropriate cultural protocols at significant events each year.	December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023	Indigenous Champion
	Departmental staff will include an Acknowledgement of Country or other appropriate protocols at the commencement of meetings, including Branch, Divisional, all-staff and external meetings.	December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023	Indigenous Champion
	Promote Ngunnawal Language Training throughout PM&C to support staff in providing an Acknowledgement of Country in Ngunnawal language (while on Ngunnawal Country).	December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023	Chief People Officer
7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.	Encourage all staff to access leave entitlements to attend NAIDOC Week celebrations and activities, and build awareness of managers to provide appropriate support to staff.	July 2021 July 2022	Chief People Officer
	Promote NAIDOC Week and encourage staff participation through the Departments social media platforms, internal and external websites www.pmc.gov.au and www.indigenous.gov.au	July 2021 July 2022	Chief People Officer
	In consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, host at least six NAIDOC Week events each year. Where possible events will be made accessible to all staff through livestreaming.	July 2021 July 2022	Chief People Officer
	Host an internal event during NAIDOC Week to raise awareness and promote the PM&C Mara Network.	July 2021 July 2022	Chief People Officer
	RAPWG members will participate in at least one external NAIDOC Week event annually.	July 2021 July 2022	Indigenous Champion
8. Support opportunities to promote truth telling about Australia’s history.	Panel and guest speaker events are coordinated to provide opportunity for truth telling to develop relationships and building respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.	September 2021 September 2022	Indigenous Champion
	Add resources to the internal First Nations Hub which promote truth telling and opportunities for staff to engage in discovery and understanding.	April 2022	Chief People Officer