Report on & Proposal for - Swan Hill Rural City Council · Report on & Proposal for ... Activities...
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SHRCC Aboriginal Partnership Plan Page 1
Report on & Proposal for
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Aboriginal Partnership Plan
For questions relating to this document, please contact:
Rob Connelly
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
SHRCC Aboriginal Partnership Plan Page 2
Swan Hill Rural City Council
45 Splatt Street.
Swan Hill VIC 3585
Ph: 03 5036 2333
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 3
2. Background_____________________________________________________________________ 3
3. Map of Native Title Claims ___________________________________________________ 5
3. Swan Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) Activities to Date ____________________ 6
4. Imperatives _____________________________________________________________________ 7
4.1 Principles of Good Governance ________________________________________________ 7
4.2 Native Title Claim _____________________________________________________________ 7
4.3 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage __________________________________________________ 8
5. Implications __________________________________________________________________ 11
6. First Steps ____________________________________________________________________ 11
7. Best Practice __________________________________________________________________ 12
8. Future Steps __________________________________________________________________ 14
9. Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP) _________________________________________ 15
10. Commitment to Indigenous people by Swan Hill Rural City Council ______ 19
SHRCC Aboriginal Partnership Plan Page 3
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1. Introduction
This paper presents a discussion around the need for Swan Hill Rural City Council to improve its
practices in Aboriginal affairs. It provides some background to the topic, reviews the imperatives,
and proposes an Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP) which will increase Council's competencies
in Aboriginal affairs and support a range of related strategic activities.
2. Background
The Latji Latji, Tati Tati, Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa and the Wadi Wadi Peoples are
considered the original custodians of the land now known as the Swan Hill Rural City Council,
and our region remains strong in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage values. Key cultural sites
throughout the Council, were meeting places for the purposes of social contact, ceremonies,
marriage, trade and for deciding issues of customary law. The Murray River was a constant
source of both food and water and an integral aspect in the day-to-day lives of Aboriginal
people.
A map detailing the traditional owner’s lands within the municipality can be found on
www.foundingdocs.gov.au
European settlement of the region severely disrupted the significant spiritual, cultural and
physical relationship with the land that the Latji Latji, Tati Tati, Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa
and the Wadi Wadi Peoples and their neighbouring groups had maintained for many thousands
of years.
At the time of the most recent census (2006), the Aboriginal population of the Swan Hill Rural
City Council numbered 741. This population is comprised of both Aboriginal people with
traditional owners and custodians (Latji Latji, Tati Tati, Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa and the
Wadi Wadi Peoples) and Aboriginal people who are historical to the area due to previous
Government policy.
This represents 3.58% of the total Council population, which is seen as historically low based on
empirical evidence. However, the causes for such low numbers are under reported due to a
variety of circumstances in Census data during the collection period.
The Swan Hill Aboriginal Health Service has indicated that it has evidence based statistics
showing a total Aboriginal population of 1,600 in the municipality.
These groups are important components of the Aboriginal community, although some issues
(heritage and native title) relate particularly to traditional owners. It should be noted that the
number of Aboriginal people recorded through the population census is generally considered to
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be lower than the actual numbers' due to under-reporting and non-identification.
Further, it should be noted from the outset that:
A large number of resident Aboriginal people are owners of private and shared property
within the Swan Hill Municipality, and are ratepayers.
Swan Hill Municipality has as a percentage of population, the highest Aboriginal
representation compared with the rest of Victoria.
Numbers of traditional and historical Aboriginal people, which are split into distinct relationships,
are involved with three (3) native title claims focused on;
Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa and the Wadi Wadi Peoples
Latji Latji Peoples
Robinvale Aboriginal Community
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3. Map of Native Title Claims
SHRCC Aboriginal Partnership Plan Page 6
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3. Swan Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) Activities to Date
SHRCC activities in relation to Aboriginal Affairs have been largely limited to the themes of
Reconciliation, Cultural Heritage management and Native Title.
In the late 1990’s high-level discussions were held in Robinvale to develop an Aboriginal Land
Use Agreement (ILUA) but due to unforeseen circumstances this did not progress.
Where Reconciliation is concerned, the Swan Hill Rural City Council has worked with local
Aboriginal community members to celebrate and support NAIDOC week flag raising ceremonies.
Council welcomes the increasing level of ownership that the Aboriginal community is taking of
this important week. Simultaneously Council has formulated a Commitment to Aboriginal
Peoples document (see attached), and has offered financial and administrative support to the
CROC Festival.
Council, whilst continuing to display Aboriginal artefacts and history at the Swan Hill Pioneer
Settlement, a partnership with traditional owners and custodians is soon to commence a review
of the way Aboriginal themes, as well as that of European settlement, is portrayed at the
Settlement. Additionally, Council also took the lead role in creating the Lake Boga Story Wall,
which is one of the 6 symbols of reconciliation around Australia.
Council also provides culturally appropriate services, within its care service provision such as
Home and Community Care (HACC), Maternal & Child Health, Family Day Care. Council also has
developed and adopted a range of policies and procedures that are inclusive of its Aboriginal
community. In relation to the cultural heritage management within the Council area, this has
traditionally been left to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and does involve the local traditional owners
and custodians who do culturally appropriate care of sites throughout the municipality. The
implementation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (2006), with the need to provide Cultural Heritage
Management Plans is a step forward in the identification and preservation of local Aboriginal
Cultural History.
Council is a party to the three (3) local native title Claims over Crown Land in the municipality (this
claim also encompasses several nearby municipalities). Swan Hill Rural City Council has not been
involved directly in any negotiations, but has its interests represented by the State Government.
Council has demonstrated an awareness of Aboriginal issues and taken a proactive role such as
the Lake Baker project in which an ancient Aboriginal burial site was disturbed and Council
implemented a strategy to both preserve the site whilst providing ongoing vehicular access.
Both elements being complementary to cultural preservation and managing infrastructure in a
modern environment.
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4. Imperatives
There are a number of imperatives for strengthening the relationship between Swan Hill Rural
City Council and the local Aboriginal communities. These are presented below under the three
key domains of Good Governance, Native Title and Cultural Heritage.
4.1 Principles of Good Governance
The Local Government Act 1989 states that the objectives of a local Council are to: 'facilitate the
involvement of members of the community in the development, improvement and coordination
of local government,' and to `represent and promote the interests of the community and to be
responsive to the needs of the community.' It is important to note that 'community' is used here
in a very broad sense, and does not exclude any sub-group.
The Good Governance Guide (Good Governance MAS Advisory Group 2004) further notes that
the notion of `community' refers to the `myriad groups, individuals and interests' that comprise a
municipality; and this definition draws no distinction between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
Council residents.
Although the relationship between Council and the local Aboriginal people is generally good, the
Swan Hill Rural City Council is still faced with difficulties meeting its ideal to 'represent and
promote the interests of the community and to be responsive to the needs of the community.'
For the standards of good governance to be attained, the Council is willing to take concrete
steps to facilitate and maintain a relationship with the Aboriginal community that is ongoing,
responsive and multidimensional.
Recognition of these factors is already contained in the Councils’ Values, Council Plan, Key
Responsibility areas, strategies and 4 year planned initiatives.
Reflecting upon these ambitions, Council, in partnership with both the Federal and State
Governments, has co-jointly funded a position within Council of Manager Aboriginal Affairs with
additional project funding support.
4.2 Native Title Claim
As previously mentioned, another key factor is the existence of native title claims by;
Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa and the Wadi Wadi Peoples
Latji Latji Peoples
Robinvale Aboriginal Community
These claims encompass several nearby municipalities. No freehold land is affected by these
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applications.
At this point of time indications from the Native Title Tribunal are that these claims will be
decided in the near future.
4.3 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Swan Hill Rural City Council is currently handling its Aboriginal cultural heritage obligations at an
acceptable level, and needs to become even more proactive and adaptive to change to minimise
risk.
This risk exposure is due to the lack of any comprehensive and predictive Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage Study and the lack of any associated local policy/overlay incorporated in the Planning
Scheme.
Identified areas have recently been supplied by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria to support Councils.
The AAV (Aboriginal Affairs Victoria) ceased its role as a planning referral agency for Aboriginal
heritage matters in 2002, and since that time the responsibility for Aboriginal heritage protection
and management has resided with local government (as designated planning authority). In
future this will need to be done in partnership with the traditional owners and/or Registered
Aboriginal Parties with reference and involvement from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria due to the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 coming into effect.
There has been a clear legal requirement for the Swan Hill Rural City Council to, for some time,
ensure adequate protection for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. In particular, the following laws
apply:
Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 -
amended in 1987 to provide specifically for the protection of Aboriginal cultural
property in Victoria by adding a new Part HA. Part IIA is understood to be capable of
protecting a broad range of places (including areas/sites) that hold cultural significance
for Aboriginal people. Protection applies regardless of whether the place contains
material evidence or past Aboriginal occupation (such as occupation deposits,
structures or art motifs), and can apply to contemporary Aboriginal cultural property as
well as ancient and historical places.
The Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984
identifies the North West Nations Clan Aboriginal Corporation and the Murray Valley
Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd. as the custodians (over different regions) of Aboriginal
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cultural heritage in the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
Victoria
State Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 - Except for human
remains buried after 1834, the State Act provides 'blanket' or automatic protection for
all 'relics' (including sites, artefacts and human remains) relating to the past Aboriginal
occupation of Australia, both before and after the arrival of Europeans. The State Act
protects all relics, whether or not they have been formally recorded.
State Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 - Prior to the above Act, Commonwealth and State
legislation protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria. The Commonwealth
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 provides for the
protection of significant Aboriginal areas and objects and other Aboriginal cultural
property in Victoria from injury or desecration. Under this legislation, 'Aboriginal
cultural property' is defined broadly to include any Aboriginal place, object or folklore
(including traditions or oral history) that is of particular significance in accordance with
tradition.
The Victorian Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 operates in
conjunction with Part IIA of the Commonwealth legislation and provides for the
protection of physical evidence of past occupations, such as relics, artifacts and human
remains. Changes to the Commonwealth legislation by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Heritage Protection Amendment Bill 2005 repealed Part IIA to enable the
Victorian Government to administer Aboriginal Heritage Protection Laws in Victoria
directly.
Victorian State Planning Policy Framework Clause 15.11 - Requires responsible
authorities to identify, conserve and protect places of natural or cultural value from
inappropriate development. These include places of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
significance, including historical and archaeological sites.
Breaching the relevant Commonwealth and/or State Acts by damaging Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage material - whether known or previously unrecorded, whether registered or not-entails
significant risk. At one end of the scale, individuals are liable for fines of $10,000 and
corporations (including local govt) for $50,000 in the case of damage to Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage; and at the other end of the scale, the relevant Aboriginal statutory body may impose
an emergency 'stop-work' order on any development activity it believes is endangering
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Aboriginal heritage material or places.
Clearly, the amount of current and future greenfield development in the Swan Hill Rural City
Council presents a degree of likelihood that Aboriginal cultural material will be identified and
protected through the use of Cultural Heritage Management Plans. It is also pertinent to note
that even when private developers are at fault in disturbing heritage material, it is invariably
Council who are enjoined to sort out the issue.
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5. Implications
If the Swan Hill Rural City Council is to fulfil its obligation to the local Aboriginal communities and
to itself in terms of good governance, Native Title and Aboriginal Heritage, several pieces of
strategic work are necessary. These have been detailed in the boxes in the preceding section,
and may include, in no priority order:
Development of an Aboriginal Employment Policy.
Relationship-building activities.
Ensuring responsive and culturally appropriate service provision is maintained.
Development of a Diversity and Equity Policy.
Development of a Protocol to guide Agreement-making.
Finalising an in principle Land-use Agreement (in lieu of Native Title claim).
Aboriginal Heritage being identified through the Aboriginal Heritage Act and added to
existing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage mapping provided through AAV, to develop an
expanding relevant database.
Educating Council and Community – building capacity in the aboriginal community and
promoting tolerance within the broader community initially through Community Planning
Project.
Pioneer Settlement Masterplan incorporating Keeping Place.
Culturally Safe Policy.
6. First Steps
In the case of the Swan Hill Rural City Council, the key issues listed above suggest the most
effective approach would be the development of a tool for some 'future steps'. Clearly, such a
tool would not preclude the necessary strategic work. However, this tool or action plan would
function as a basis for such activities, by skilling both parties in effective and meaningful
dialogue.
What is proposed, therefore, is the attached Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP). The APP is a
capacity-building plan, by which the Swan Hill Rural City Council in partnership with the Swan Hill
Aboriginal Health Service and the Robinvale Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Operative, can build its
competencies in Aboriginal affairs, in order to embark on key pieces of strategic work with
increased confidence and a higher skill level. The APP builds on current Best Practice in
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consultation and relationship building with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and
provides a basic framework for further learning, dialogue and action.
7. Best Practice
This document therefore draws primarily on the Toomnangi report (2002), which documents the
findings of the MAV's study of Aboriginal Communities and Victorian Local Government.
Toomnangi was developed to provide:
Encouragement and support for existing local government initiatives to further
partnerships and improve service delivery to Aboriginal communities;
Assistance to Councils in developing strategies to support and promote local programs for
Aboriginal constituents;
Examples of ways to form inclusive relationships between councils and Aboriginal
communities; and
A contribution to a statewide long-term effort to advance understanding and
reconciliation.
A total of 78 Councils, including Swan Hill Rural City Council, participated in the study
(undertaken via a questionnaire). While not every Council responded to each of the questions,
the report demonstrates some clear patterns across the State. Of particular note is the section
which sought to better understand the limitations and constraints Councils felt impeded their
ability to be more actively involved in Aboriginal issues; and the section which asked is there any
form of assistance that would help Councils to better meet the needs of its Aboriginal community.
A summary of these results is presented below.
Toomnangi Report: Limits to being more involved (66 Councils responded)
Clearly, the feedback provided by the 66 Councils who responded to the question around
37%
37%
8%
5%
4%
3%3%
3%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Small Aboriginal population, balance between whole of community
needs and needs of one group (36%)
Resources (36%)
Attitude of wider community (8%)
Communication issues with Aboriginal community (5%)
Aboriginal community members not interested (4%)
Political will of Council (3%)
Other bodies directly deliver services to Aboriginal people (3%)
Division within the local Aboriginal community makes it difficult to
know who to deal with (3%)
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limitations indicates two dominant responses: the difficulties of achieving a 'balance' between
the needs of the community as a whole and the needs of a much smaller (Aboriginal) group, and
the difficulties presented by an apparent lack of resources. While municipality-specific
responses were not presented, it is likely that these issues may have some relevance to the Swan
Hill Rural City Council, where the Aboriginal population is relatively large at around 3.58 per cent
(compared with around 0.6 per cent across Victoria as a whole).
Toomnangi Report: Suggestions for improvements (49 Councils responded)
Where Councils responded to the question of improvements (49 Councils), several themes
emerged. The need for resource materials and information on cultural protocols rated highly,
with the need for adequate funding also rating significantly. Most notable was the fact that the
total set of responses demonstrated a variety of approaches to improving practice in Aboriginal
Affairs, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach may be the most beneficial.
In order to ensure the Swan Hill Rural City Council Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP) builds upon
best practice and the most pertinent research around local government relationships with
Aboriginal communities, the APP is presented here with specific reference to potential Council
responses to the range of improvements presented in the Toonmangi report.
In order to ensure the Swan Hill Rural City Council Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP) builds upon
best practice and the most pertinent research around local government relationships with
Aboriginal communities, the APP is presented here with specific reference to potential Council
responses to the range of improvements presented in the Toonmangi report.
28%
28%
19%
9%
8%
8%
1
2
3
4
5
6
Resource material for Councils (25%)
Information on cultural protocol (25%)
Funding (17%)
Regularly updated information on key contacts (8%)
Case studies about needs, issues (7%)
Sharing what has worked, good ideas (7%)
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8. Future Steps
The Aboriginal Partnership Plan provides a blueprint for establishing a respectful and meaningful
relationship with the Aboriginal communities within the municipality. Once considered by
Council, the Plan has been developed in partnership with traditional owners and custodians and
historical Aboriginal people connected to the municipality.
The A.P.P has been endorsed though letters of support from the Swan Hill Aboriginal Health
Service and the Robinvale Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Operative, these 2 organisations are the
leading Aboriginal organisations of Swan Hill and Robinvale
Discussions and endorsement at this level have enabled Council to determine the parameters
and the detail of some of the actions proposed in the APP, including, for example, the preferred
means by which Council can acknowledge traditional ownership.
From the outset it must be reinforced that a true partnership between Council and the local
Aboriginal community is essential prior to the formal adoption by Council. The engagement
process has been paramount to ensure success of this venture.
Leadership for this initiative rests with Council.
Council has already furthered the ambitions of the Plan with the agreement to employ a
Manager Aboriginal Affairs. The Manager’s role will be multifaceted. The Manager will be
responsible for implementing, refining and expanding upon the APP. Additionally, the
networking role will expand with the recent State Government initiative of appointing a Local
Indigenous Network Broker (LIN).
The Manager will also be funded to achieve specific employment and youth initiatives outcomes.
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9. Aboriginal Partnership Plan (APP)
TABLE 1: Aboriginal Partnership Plan (DPP) 2008
Improvement Area Nominated within Toomnangi Report
SHRCC Action Responsibility Timeframe Resources Link with Council Plan
Council Plan Strategies
Engagement with Local Aboriginal Communities
Establish protocols and meetings
to ensure support for proposed
process of implementing the APP
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
Early 2009 Internal Governance & Leadership
Developing Open Community Relationships
Develop a model to provide
adequate training for the
sustainability of emerging
Aboriginal small business
operators
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
A Economic Development Unit
Mid 2009 Internal Governance & Leadership
Developing Open Community Relationships
Resource Material for Councils
Obtain and distribute
information on local Aboriginal
history and cultural heritage to
Councillors and officers.
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
Early 2009 Source information Sustainable Communities
Building Community Capacity
Include Aboriginal names (after
consultation) for consideration of
Asset Naming Committee
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
2009/10 DIIRD & Internal Sustainable Communities
Building Community Capacity
Inclusion of statement of
Aboriginals’ as traditional owners
as part of Council Profile
document [see cross-cultural
training]
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
2009/10 None Governance & Leadership
Developing Open Community Relationships
Information on Cultural Protocol
Implement existing cultural
heritage procedures/referrals in
land-use planning activities
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
Mid 2009 None Governance & Leadership
Nurturing Critical External Relationships
Develop protocol on when/how to
1. give acknowledgement of
country,
2. raising of Aboriginal flag,
3. other relevant governance
activities as part of Councils
day to day activities
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
&
Director Development & Planning
Early 2009 None Sustainable Communities
Celebrating our Identity
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Improvement Area Nominated within Toomnangi Report
SHRCC Action Responsibility Timeframe Resources Link with Council Plan
Council Plan Strategies
Develop brief for Aboriginal
Heritage Study and seek funding
to match in-house
support/funding
as part of Council Planning
Scheme review
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
& Manager Development Services
Development of Brief: April 2009. Funding applications: when available
State-/Federal
funding to be
determined.
Economic Growth
Strategic Planning
Regularly Updated
Information on Key Contacts
Develop working relationships
with the local Aboriginal people
as well as Aboriginal Affairs
Victoria in order to be updated on
key contacts.
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
Ongoing None Sustainable Communities
Building Community Capacity
Case Studies about Needs,
Issues
Consultation with Aboriginal
community, to identify service
gaps in Government agency
delivery
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
2009 To be conducted in- house within existing budget
Sustainable Communities
Building Community Capacity
Development of Policy statement
and Strategy on employing and
skilling Aboriginals within
Council
Manager Aboriginal Affairs & Director Community & Cultural Services
Mid 2009 To be conducted in- house within existing budget
Sustainable Communities
Celebrating our Identity
Gain recognition of existing
programs and initiatives that
target Aboriginal issues.
Director Community & Cultural services (in partnership with Managers)
Ongoing Media, both internal and external
Sustainable Communities
Celebrating our Identity
Sharing What has Worked,
Good Ideas
Join and participate in Municipal
Association of Victoria's Local
Government Aboriginal Network
Council Commencing 2009
None Governance & Leadership
Nurturing Critical External Relationships
Best practice research/analysis in
Aboriginal-specific policy
development
Manager Community Facilitation
Ongoing None Governance & Leadership
Responsible Management of Resources
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Improvement Area Nominated within Toomnangi Report
SHRCC Action Responsibility Timeframe Resources Link with Council Plan
Council Plan Strategies
Establishment of a Cross-Council
Aboriginal Working Group, to
link with Horizon and Connectus
projects and to also to function
as key Aboriginal interface
Manager Aboriginal Affairs
&
Council
December 2008 Internal Governance & Leadership
Developing Open Community Relationships
Best Value Service Reviews
wi th Specific Approaches for
Known Groups
Address Best Value assessment
frameworks with emphasis on
Council service delivery to
Aboriginal groups to ensure
optimal service delivery to the
Aboriginal community
Executive Management Team
From December 2008
Internal Governance & Leadership
Responsible Management of Resources
Native Title Status reports
Provide ongoing status reports
on Native Title claims to Council.
Manager Community
Facilitation
Commence 2009 Victorian State Government is providing the required legal representation
Governance & Leadership
Responsible Management of Resources
Cross Cultural Training
Source Aboriginal cross-cultural
training for delivery to Councillors
and officers.
Human Resource
Manager & Manager
Aboriginal affairs
Training to be devised and delivered to Councillors in 2009.
All employees by end 2009. Forms part of new employee induction process.
To be determined Governance & Leadership
Valuing our Staff
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10. Commitment to Indigenous people by Swan Hill Rural City Council
Council recognises:
That Wadi Wadi, Latji Latji, Wamba Wamba, Nyeri Nyeri, Barapa Barapa and Tati Tati people
are the original custodians of all land and waters in the Swan Hill Rural City Council, and that
according to their continuing law, traditions and customs it remains their traditional country.
That the arrival of non-Aboriginal people brought massive changes to this land and its
Aboriginal people. However, the Swan Hill Rural City Council acknowledges and respects
their traditions and their special relationship with the land and waters.
The historical significance of sacred sites, traditional names and the contribution made by key
Indigenous members to the history of this region.
The value of the diversity and strength of Indigenous cultures to the heritage of all
Australians.
The hurt and suffering brought about by enforced family separations.
The existence and rights of historical Indigenous peoples.
The right of Aboriginal people to practise their own spirituality.
Council supports:
The rights of all Indigenous people as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The principles of equity and access for all members of the Indigenous community to culturally
appropriate services and programs.
The vision as expressed by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation of a “united Australia
which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and
provides justice and equity for all”.
The rights of local claimants under the Native Title Act 1993 as an active participant in the
process of resolution of the claims made in exercise of those rights.
All Aboriginal organisations delivering programs and services to Indigenous peoples within
the municipality.
The nomination and election of Indigenous peoples as councillors of the Swan Hill Rural City
Council.
Councils Commits to:
Offering support to the aspirations of Indigenous people and will consult when making
decisions that affect their rights and interests.
Advocacy on behalf of Indigenous members of our community to ensure the principles and
commitments of this statement are upheld.
Fulfilment of an education role regarding the historic significance of Indigenous heritage in
this region, and the current and future needs of our Indigenous communities.
Implementing appropriate programs and activities displaying our involvement in ongoing
national programs.
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Developing and promoting, Indigenous involvement in local events and celebrations of local
and regional significance which respects the dignity and protocols of the local Indigenous
community.
Offering support to Indigenous communities desire to discuss, negotiate and enter into a
treaty to enshrine Aboriginal rights.