Respect and relationships underpin statewide engagement for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Now More Than Ever is the 2024 theme for National Reconciliation Week, a meaningful reminder on the importance of progressing the reconciliation movement in our State.

It is also a timely message as we continue to engage with Aboriginal peoples and communities across WA in the planning for the statewide Aboriginal Cultural Centre (ACC) in Boorloo (Perth).

Creating opportunity based on respect and strong relationships

The 3 pillars of reconciliation (PDF 339 KB) outlined by Reconciliation Australia are:

1. respect
2. relationships
3. opportunities.

It is these pillars which guide organisations on their reconciliation journey in the more than 1800 Reconciliation Action Plans in place across the nation.

These reconciliation pillars are also reflected in the Aboriginal engagement principles guiding the ACC project:

• Aboriginal-led
• understanding culture 
• inclusion and diversity 
• engage early
• establish expectations 
• develop authentic relationships.

An Aboriginal-led project, working in collaboration with the State Government

Meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people is pivotal for the ACC project. To support the planning and development of the centre, the State Government is working in partnership with Aboriginal communities throughout the State.

From 2022 to mid-2024, the Aboriginal engagement team has met with 99 Aboriginal organisations, peak bodies or community groups across 172 engagements, speaking with more than 1613 people from every region.

Here are some recent highlights:

• The Aboriginal engagement team met with Aboriginal community members and leaders in Exmouth and Kununurra to yarn about the project. 
• The Content, Strategy and Partnerships team held a workshop with Aboriginal artists and creatives from across WA to inform the project’s approach to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.
• The project team spoke with members of the public at Danjoo Koorliny’s Bunuru Festival, with a Yarning Circle at the Bunuru Summit and a stall at the Meeka Moorart ceremony.
• The project team presented to community members from across WA in Walyalup (Fremantle) to share community feedback received to date and how it has influenced early project planning so far.

Listening deeply to communities across WA

We are grateful for the open and detailed feedback received to date, which has significantly guided the early planning of the centre.

Engagement with Aboriginal organisations and the creative, tourism and cultural sectors will significantly increase as the project progresses and we welcome input from every community across WA.

If you would like to yarn with the project team, you can reach out to us at ACC@dlgsc.wa.gov.au