Published on Friday, 29 July 2022 at 9:34:50 AM
The Shire of Carnarvon will be implementing its first Reconciliation Action Plan over the next twelve months, after Council voted unanimously to formally endorse the plan on Tuesday.
The actions are grouped into 4 pillars under a theme of ‘reflect’ – relationships, respect, opportunities and governance – with goals and deliverables outlined for each. The plan was developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia, Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation, Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation, and the local community. Prior to being presented to Council, the plan was submitted to Reconciliation Australia three times for feedback and received conditional endorsement on July 8.
Shire President Eddie Smith said Council is committed to reconciliation and forging strong connections with Traditional Owner groups and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“Council is taking an initial step on the journey to reconciliation by focusing on learning, promoting, and celebrating more about the world’s oldest continuing cultures, and by building our cultural competency,” said Cr Smith.
“We will continue to work with the Yinggarda people, as the traditional custodians of this land, and the wider community to make positive and meaning advancements through the actions and deliverables of this Reconciliation Action Plan,” he added.
The lands on which the Shire is situated is an area of great social, cultural, and spiritual importance to the Yinggarda and Baiyungu people, along with Thalanji, Thudgari, Malgana and Wadjarri peoples. According to the 2016 Census, 960 people identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander which represents 21.7% of the total overall local population.
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