Our Reconciliation Work
As an organisation, we believe that to advance the Community Services Industry we need to work intentionally towards restoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to a place of equity.
Acknowledgement
CSIA would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work.
While our work is nation-wide, we acknowledge:
- the Yuggera /Jagera peoples, and the surrounding nations peoples
- the Quandamooka peoples
- the Turrbal peoples.
We would like to pay respects and give thanks to Elders; past, present and emerging who have – and continue to – pave the way for reconciliation in this land we call Australia.
Our commitment to reconciliation
CSIA is building our cultural capacity as we launch our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), our second ever RAP.
We believe it’s important to progress our capability to engage intentionally with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and peoples to identify shared goals and initiatives that progress reconciliation.
CSIA works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. We do this to advance our ability to develop connections, build deep relationships and move towards strong partnerships.
During 2019, we welcomed Traditional Owners and Elders to share their culture and knowledge with staff and Board teams.
Following this we completed the journey on our Reflect RAP in partnership with Reconciliation Australia.
We are very proud of the steps we have taken towards reconciliation since CSIA’s inception.
Innovate
Reconciliation Action Plan
We are proud to work in partnership with Reconciliation Australia as we launch and implement our second RAP, the Innovate RAP.
Reflect
Reconciliation Action Plan
We are proud to work in partnership with Reconciliation Australia to develop our Reflect RAP.
Our approach
A RAP Working Group has been established with the purpose of being the conscience of the CSIA team in developing our cultural muscle and ensuring reconciliation continues to be embedded in our work.
Our approach focuses on the three core pillars of reconciliation: Relationships, Respect and Opportunities. This ensures that everything we do is working towards a shared goal of reconciliation.
CSIA’s Reflect RAP will:
- Develop and implement a plan for establishing and improving key relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations across our program of work.
- Support our journey to listen and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights at an individual, organisation and Industry level.
- Enhance opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations to improve social and economic outcomes.
CSIA continues to learn and grow through Indigenous-led yarning circles, deeper engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations and pursuit of the agenda for constitutional reform.
Industry Development
CSIA is here to advance the Community Service Industry by doing business better.
We believe the Community Services Industry is a diverse and capable sector, delivering vital support to thousands of people in need across the country.
Central to this is ensuring Industry recognises that work cannot be done without deliberate action towards reconciliation and ongoing commitments to closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As a strong voice in the Community Services Industry, the development of our RAP is an opportunity to lead by example. We acknowledge our responsibility to support community-based organisations to become culturally safe and contribute towards reconciliation.
Through our project teams and sphere of influence we support Industry to build and strengthen relationships with Traditional Owners and help find ways to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Board and staff of CSIA are wholly supportive of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and believe that contributing to a stronger clearer way forward will help us become a more unified and prosperous country.
