16. Engaging the Workforce: Starting Conversations About Reconciliation

In this episode, Cooper Silk and Dixie Crawford discuss how to engage the workforce in conversations about reconciliation. They emphasise the importance of engaging stakeholders from the beginning to ensure the success and impact of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). They highlight the need for shared understanding and insight about reconciliation and the RAP, as well as the importance of ongoing education and awareness about First Nations lived experiences. They also discuss effective ways to start the conversation, the role of leadership in setting the tone, the evolution of cultural awareness training, creating a safe environment for conversations, maintaining momentum, addressing resistance, and ensuring tangible outcomes.

Key takeaways

• Engaging the workforce and stakeholders from the beginning is crucial for the success and impact of a reconciliation action plan (RAP).
• Shared understanding and insight about reconciliation and the RAP are essential.
• Ongoing education and awareness about First Nations lived experiences are important.
• Effective ways to start the conversation include creating educational and practical learning opportunities.
• Leadership plays a key role in setting the tone for meaningful conversations about reconciliation.
• Cultural awareness training should go beyond education and awareness to focus on skills development and anti-racism work.
• Creating a safe environment for conversations involves setting clear standards, addressing racism, and recognising power dynamics.
• Maintaining momentum requires regular and consistent communication, linking conversations to the broader strategic direction, and addressing resistance.
• Real conversations about reconciliation lead to tangible outcomes and require clear goals, action items, and follow-up.
• Different teams within an organisation should have consistent approaches to the RAP to maintain momentum and impact.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Engaging the Workforce

00:56 Creating Shared Understanding and Insight

02:44 Ongoing Education and Awareness about First Nations Lived Experiences

04:10 Effective Ways to Start the Conversation

05:30 Setting the Tone for Meaningful Conversations

07:15 The Evolution of Cultural Awareness Training

11:41 Creating a Safe Environment for Conversations

15:28 Maintaining Momentum in Reconciliation Conversations

16:24 Addressing Resistance and Unease

18:44 Ensuring Tangible Outcomes from Reconciliation Conversations

About Nganya

Nganya is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business, committed to delivering high quality service and advice to our clients. We are focused on collaborations with purpose and community impact.

At Nganya, through a people and relationship-focused approach to community engagement, we ensure two-way relationships are nurtured with First Nations communities. We support and stretch individuals and organisations to make valuable contributions to achieve sustainable social change that delivers equitable outcomes.

We provide culturally sound and professional advice on and the development and implementation Reconciliation Action Plan deliverables.

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