Reconciliation in Gawler
Gawler Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group - Expressions of Interest
Do you have a passion to deepen community awareness, drive social change and help create a community that demonstrates pride and respect for Aboriginal people and culture?
Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from active and committed members of the community to join the Gawler Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group.
The RAP Working Group is a great opportunity to actively participate in the reconciliation process, to contribute to the development of meaningful actions and deliverables, and to be involved in the implementation of the Gawler RAP.
Expressions of interest close on Friday 9 February 2024.
The Town of Gawler's vision for reconciliation is to build respect, understanding and dialogue between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, with a focus on creating environments where meaningful interactions and relationships can occur.
Statement of Acknowledgement
Kadlitiyarlu tampinthi yalaka ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparrinthi. Ngadludlu tampinthi, parnaku tuwila yartangka. Kaurna Miyurna yaitya yarta-mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku, parnaku yailtya, parnaku tapa puru purruna. Kaurna Miyurna ithu yailtya purruna, yarta kuma puru martinthi, puru warri-apinthi, puru tangka martulayinthi.
You can listen to this statement by Jack Buckskin in Kaurna language via the Gawler Acknowledgement link below.
The Town of Gawler acknowledges this land we meet on today is the Traditional Lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
The Gawler Reconciliation Action Plan
This is the second Reconciliation Action Plan for the Town of Gawler. It builds on the significant work that has already been done and continues to pave the way for Gawler's continual growth into a place where reconciliation is alive and vibrant.
The Gawler RAP outlines practical actions that Council and its partners are taking to build strong relationships and enhanced respect with Aboriginal people and communities in Gawler and across the region. This Plan ensures that staff, council members, volunteers and members of the community are able to contribute to the reconciliation process.
The RAP framework is based on the three key areas of:
- Relationships
- Respect
- Opportunities
The RAP focuses on developing and strengthening positive relationships, acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal culture, and providing opportunities to ensure that Aboriginal people have the same opportunities as others in our community.
The Gawler Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group was first established in February 2016. Membership is sought every four years. The RAP Working Group is responsible for the development of the RAP, and then oversees, supports and guides its implementation. The RAP Working Group comprises representation from across the organisation and the local community.
The RAP artwork - titled Ngayidju Nhagu Ngallugu ~ Mine, Yours, Ours - was produced by Ngadli Art. The main centre circles reflect the RAP themes of relationships, respect and opportunities. The four corner sections represent historical truth-telling from various Aboriginal groups. The hills represent overcoming discrimination and racism and the journey we must go on together to eliminate this. The various symbols around the middle represent traditional and new ways of communicating to close the gap and build reconciliation. Imagery of the artwork is used throughout the document and the original canvas will soon be on display at the Gawler Civic Centre.
The Gawler RAP has been officially accredited by Reconciliation Australia and the Town of Gawler is recognised as a member of the RAP Network.
For more information about Reconciliation and the RAP process click here