RECONCILIATION COLLECTIVE
The Reconciliation Collective was conceived and launched in 2019 as a vehicle to advise organisations seeking to engage with Tasmania’s Aboriginal communities regarding proposed business activities across Tasmania.
The Collective also acts as a collegial network of community and business partners, working together and supporting each other’s reconciliation journey. Organisations who have committed to Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) are looking to connect with Aboriginal community members in their region in the process of implementing RAP commitments, to advance specific issues and to gain social licence for proposed business operations.
Membership of the Collective is open to all Tasmanians. A small annual membership fee applies, matched to the size and sector (Private/Public/Community) of applicants.
Membership registration for the Collective is available on our ‘Join Us’ page or fill out the form at the bottom of the page to join the Reconciliation Collective!
Truth Listening Day – Patterdale, Glover Country
Our Second Truth Listening Day sold out quickly with over 40 people from around the state attending.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Aboriginal Leadership at University of Tasmania – Greg Lehman speaking to different points about the house and Glover’s paintings. Particularly those depicting often ‘fantastical’ scenes of Aboriginal people on-country. Greg explained how Glover arrived in Trouwunna/lutruwita (Tasmania) at the end of the Frontier Wars, he hadn’t grown up amidst the horrors that colonisation visited upon the original inhabitants of this island. His series of paintings is a response to this. He understood the profound inhumanity that was going on. He disrupted a process that was going on, local artists depicting the state as if it was empty of Aboriginals. A visual terra nullius – unoccupied.
He continued saying in the current day ”we’ve found convenient places to park uncomfortable things in our mind”. A very pertinent point, and why such events are so relevant. Teaching the true history of our island.
Another Truth Listening Day is in the pipeline for December 2024. Stay tuned for more info soon!
2023 Reconciliation Collective Forum
Closing the Gap through Education, Enterprise and Leadership
Over 80 people attended and participated in practical reconciliation, sharing ideas and experiences throughout the day. Speakers from various industries, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, including educational professionals, spoke about a range of experiences and topics. About how to assist First Nations students and what is holding them back. Insightful and inspiring conversations were had, facilitated by our MCs Cultural Growth Consultant Helen Ransom and our own Reconciliation Tasmania education expert, Marnie Ritz.
The program was fantastic, speakers just super inspiring and the conversation in the room flowed beautifully.
Helen Ransom
Morning tea and a light lunch were provided at the beautiful Function and Conference Centre, 1 Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart.
Topics
– Learning pathways in and out of tertiary education. In > from school and Out > as graduates.
– Promoting Aboriginal Enterprise through incubation and entrepreneurship.
Speakers
Adam Mostogl |The Shift Lab
Selby Cooper | Odyssey Geophysics & Penny Stringer | AusIndustry (above photo)
Maddie Andersen-Ward | Riawunna Centre for Education
Rob Anders | Land & Sea Aboriginal Corporation Tasmania
Huw Peacock | UTAS Aboriginal Alumni
A case study was provided and worked on in groups focusing on an 18-year-old palawa woman named ‘Jane’ who had been thrust into a workplace on an identified traineeship as a receptionist in a government organisation. A four-day role which she stayed in for just five months. Questions were provided around complaints Jane received to do with her attire, and other issues. This sparked lively conversation around why a young First Nations person may need some extra support in such a situation at times.
One pertinent question included in the case study was:
- What factors do you think influenced Jane’s decision to seek employment over higher education at university?
A Referendum Conversation Table provided clear information and education about the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum.