State Library of Queensland Reconciliation Action Plan2015– 2018
2016 Achievements Report
The art of reconciliation
State Library of Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners across Queensland and pays respects to their ancestors who came before them and to Elders past, present and future.
Building innovative and meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a priority for the State Library of Queensland (SLQ).
Our Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018 maps out this commitment to build relationships, respect and opportunities for all Indigenous communities.
Achievements over the past 12 months have been varied and important; from uncovering lost stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courage in World War I to hosting an innovative Indigenous start-up event.
State Library has not only increased representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees but staff are actively encouraged to promote and participate in programs and activities that bring new understanding to Indigenoushistory and perspectives.
Case study 1: Art of the Skins
The Art of the Skinsexhibition was inspired by Aboriginal possum skin cloak-making traditions. Elders, artists and academics contributed oral histories to this vivid, immersive installation of contemporary representations of Country. The exhibition paid homage to the past and the adaptive nature of Australia's first cultures. Six richly decorated cloaks, collaboratively designed by Aboriginal community members from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast were displayed in the SLQ Gallery,whilekurildhagun showcased multidisciplinary work inspired by the revitalisation of these cloak-making traditions. A panel discussion, performances and workshops also formed part of this important exhibition.
Case study 2: black&write!
This ground-breaking national project continues to elevate the importance of Indigenous writing. Historically, Indigenous writers have not been nurtured and lauded in the same way as Indigenous athletes, artists and dancers. black&write!seeks to change that. Launched by author Boori Monty Pryor and actor Ernie Dingo in 2010,black&write!is changing the landscape of Indigenous writing in Australia.black&write!is made up of Indigenous Writing Fellowshipsand theIndigenous Editing Internships. The project recruits, trains and mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander editors to developmanuscripts written by Indigenous authors.black&write!hasalso helped train Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islandersin onscreen editing.
Case study 3: Our people
In 2006 Indigenous freelance artist Amanda Hayman joined the State Library as a project officer with kurildhagun. A little over 10 years on she manages the purpose-build space which celebrates Queensland's unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. “For me State Library is a culturally safe place to work and the only state library in the country that has a space dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander culture, history and stories.” Amanda has enjoyed working with the close-knit Indigenous team on projects that elevate and promote Indigenous voices. Leading state-wide digital art and storytelling workshops has been a career highlight. “It allowed me to work with Aboriginal communities across the state to produce films and animations that illustrate local stories.” Amanda is also a part of the National Film and Sound Archive’s Indigenous Connections Committee. Amanda hopes her efforts will contribute to the celebration of the state’s precious Indigenous knowledge.
RelationshipsState Library believes in fostering a productive, trusting and sustainable relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, SLQ staff and the broader Australian community.
Focus area: Engage Community
Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Target / 2016 calendar-year achievements
1.1 SLQ RAP Working Group continues to actively monitor RAP development, including implementation of actions and tracking progress. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / March, June, September and December 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Commit to four RAP Working Group meetings per year to discuss implementing the RAP. / The working group met regularly to discuss the implementation of the plan.
March, June, September and December 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Report to SLQ IAG each year to seek strategic advice on implementation of the RAP. / IAG met on 3 May to advise Library Board.
1.2 SLQ IAG continues to provide advice to the Library Board of Queensland on policy and strategic issues concerning library and information service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. / CEO and State Librarian / October 2015, 2016 and 2017 / IAG will meet once per year to provide strategic advice and guidance of the development, delivery, implementation and review of SLQ’s RAP. / IAG met on 3 May to advise Library Board.
1.3SLQ to participate in and support National Reconciliation Week (NRW) and other events/celebrations promoting stronger relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Commit to two internal National Reconciliation Week events (Brisbane and Cairns) per year. / Staff encouraged to attend reconciliation-related events throughout the year with significant Aboriginal and Islander days promoted internally with announcements and updates appearing on the intranet.
All staff are encouraged to participate in at least one community NRWevent. / Staff were encouraged to participate in the AFL’s ‘The Long Walk’ event and attend the reconciliation round of AFL.
Develop a list of significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days/events and communicate to employees online though the SLQ Welcome Toolkit. / SLQ actively promotes events through a variety of staff online platforms.
Executive Manager, Communications and Executive Manager, People and Planning / 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Publish NRW dates on the public website each year and promote on the SLQ staff intranet. / NRW dates promoted on the intranet with plans to publish and promote these dates on the public website.
Director, Corporate Services / 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Encourage SLQ employees to celebrate and participate in other significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days and events. / SLQ employees encouraged to celebrate and participate in other significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days with events promoted internally.
Cairns staff met regularly to discuss, promote and encourage participation in key events such as NAIDOC and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
All cost centre managers / 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Utilise SLQ’s sphere of influence to engage, encourage and promote NRW to the wider community. / Staff actively promoted NRW to the general public through various social media platforms.
Director, Engagement and Partnerships / 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Register SLQ NRW events on the Reconciliation Australia website / SLQ hosted three events to promote NRW in 2016 (not registered on the NRW website):
- kurildhagun/SLQ partnered with AFL Qld to deliver The Long Walk community event on 28 May
- kurildhagun/SLQ stall at the YugambehMobo community day on 29 May
- a night by the fire ‘culture through fashion’ forum held on 31 May
1.4 SLQ will continue to leverage existing and establish new relationships with external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and stakeholders. / Director, Content Development / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 / Identify and engage with regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, building capacity for individuals and organisations to contribute their collections and stories. / SLQ continued to identify and engage with regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including IKCs, to build capacity for individuals and organisations to contribute to their collections and stories.
Examples:
Indigenous Languages Project (Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity)
“30252 kurildhagun Deadly Stories Series 2013-2014” accessioned into the SLQ collection
Connected Collections at Palm Island project (partnershipwith Palm Island Council)
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Organise at least two sessions per year withAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communitiesfor individuals and organisations to contribute their collections and stories.
Example:
- Indigenouslanguages staff delivered an Indigenous Languages Research Discovery training workshop in partnership with Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity (RNLD) in December 2016.
Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Continue to participate in at least two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander forums, workshops or seminars per year.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Promote and encourage through public library networks to participate in the ‘Reading for Reconciliation’ initiative.
Director, Engagement and Partnerships / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Continue to co-create, support and collaborate with community and partners to build connections; to extend provision of and access to library services; and enable the creating, sharing and preserving of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, knowledge, ideas and experiences.
Examples:
kurildhagun’sWalanGiiny and Art of the Skins exhibitions and The Edge’s Indigenous start-up week
1.5Continue to strengthen and support building stronger relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and other staff within SLQ. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Continue to engage current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees for input/advice in SLQ projects and initiatives.
April 2015, then ongoing to December 2017 /
- Encourage all staff to view the SLQ RAP by providing a soft copy on intranet and public website, and communicate through team meetings.
1.6 Develop and tailor specific models of engagement for, with and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and stakeholders. / Director, Engagement and Partnerships / June 2015, June 2016, June 2017 /
- Develop and deliver a range of programs and initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities via SLQ’s specialist program areas.
Example:
Creative Community Computing workshops at The Edge for IKC staff in October
Executive Manager, Communications / Bi-monthly to December 2017 /
- Promote programs and initiatives to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and stakeholders via SLQ communication tools, including Indigenousvoices e-news and What’s on guide.
Examples:
Indigenous voices monthly e-news, What’s On, kurildhagun Facebook page, John Oxley Library blog and Twitter
1.7 Partner with local government to advocate for and support the development and sustainability of public libraries, including the IKCs.
. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Work with cross sector partners to implement the Next Horizon: VISION 2017 for Queensland public libraries, including the guiding principle of upholding civic values of access, diversity, equity and a culture of inclusion.
Awareness-building of grants funding saw an increase in IKCs applying for grants.
1.8 SLQ will continue to assist in inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ passion to read, write, learn and share ideas. / Director, Engagement and Partnerships / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Facilitate the extended capacity of Queensland’s writing sector via advocacy, programming and partnerships, including through the black&write!Indigenous Writing and Editing program.
Examples:
2016 black&write! fellowships and writing/editing internships through SLQ, community writing workshops in Logan, QUT Indigenous writing forum contribution, managed the David Unaipon Award for Unpublished Indigenous Manuscripts and facilitated mentoring for shortlisted authors
1.9 Extend the reach of SLQ services through onsite, online and offsite offers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. / Director, Engagement and Partnerships / Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Assist in developing skills to access information and content through learning programs and projects.
Examples:
Tech Savvy Seniors and coding and robotics workshops
Respect
State Library ensures all our people, services and programs are respectful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, traditions and achievements. We create an organisational culture that is welcoming, inclusive and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Focus area: Build capability
Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Target / 2016 calendar-year achievements
2.1Engage SLQ staff in cultural learning to increase understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and achievements. / Director, Corporate Services / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- SLQ commits to 100%of staff members (345 people)[1]participating in cultural awareness training.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Commit to 100%ofnew staff accessing and participating in cultural awareness training annually.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Investigate the opportunity for staff with a high level of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in cultural capability training and, where possible, cultural immersion experiences(such as Garma, Laura Festival, Mirrabooka and Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre tours).
2.2Continue to encourageSLQ staff to use established cultural protocols for Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country. / Executive Manager, Communications / Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Review, and communicate an updated list of key contacts for organising a Welcome to Country from a local Traditional Owner.
Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Ensure an Acknowledgement of Country is provided at the commencement of all SLQ community events.
Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Continue to ensure all significant community events include Welcome to Country by a Traditional Owner.
Example:
kurildhagun’s Art of the Skins exhibition opening
Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Ensure protocol encourages senior SLQ leaders to personally reply to a Welcome to Country.
Ongoing to December 2017 /
- Communicate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols to SLQ staff via intranet and ensure that the significance of the protocols is understood and followed by staff.
2.3 SLQ tocelebrate NAIDOC Week andsupport Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in engaging with their cultures and communities through NAIDOC Week activities. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / 1st Sunday – 2nd Sunday July, 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Commit to engage with local NAIDOC Week committee, and support all staff to participate in NAIDOC Week events in the local communityin two NAIDOC Week activities (Brisbane and Cairns) per year.
Examples:
SLQ stall at Musgrave Park Fun Day and SLQ staff member played a pivotal role on the Cairns NAIDOC Committee’s executive
1st Sunday – 2nd Sunday July, 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Organise at least one internal event at South Brisbane SLQ each year to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
2.4 Collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesand organisations to develop, collect, share and createQueensland content (stories, knowledge and culture) for current and future generations. / Director, Content Development / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Increase community engagement and collaborative approaches to collecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content.
Examples:
Regional Indigenous language workshops, presentations at events such as the Queensland Indigenous Languages Forum, liaison with IKCs to help improve access to local content.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Investigate establishing an official partnership with AIASTIS in collaborating to strengthen the collection and sharing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and stories.
Example:
Staff trip to Canberra to investigate the status of the Margaret Lawrie collection of the Torres Strait.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Develop and implement a plan to increase ways of giving voice to the untold and personal stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders connected to the State Government’s legacy project Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation.
Examples:
SLQ’s Indigenous Languages Coordinator and the Australian War Memorial identifiedAboriginal soldiers of WW I in a joint project.
Professor Mick Dodson addressed the On the Home Front symposium in May.
2.5 Continue to ensure the longevity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content by growing capacity in research, curation, preservation and discovery. / Director, Content Development / December 2017 /
- Ensure the collection of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queensland content through proactive ‘born digital’ activities and promoting legal deposit.
Examples:
Acquisition of significant collections such as a documentary on WujalWujal, Bloomfield River Oral History collection and papers, index records to genealogical records from the Margaret Lawrie Collection and the Bloomfield River Oral History collection.
2.6 Continue to make visible the diverse knowledge, stories, culture and creative outputs from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples around the state. / Director, Content Development / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Update SLQ’s Indigenous Languages Strategy and implementation plan.
Opportunities
State Library understands that it is important to develop culturally appropriate opportunities in services, programs and policies that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Queensland.
Focus area:Enable access.
Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Target / 2016 calendar-year achievements
3.1 Increase the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across SLQ. / Director, Corporate Services / December 2017 /
- Commit to increasing representation within SLQ from current 4.64%[2] (16 people) to 5%of Aboriginal and Torres Strait employees (17 people) in 2016–17.
December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Continue to implement and review the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy to increase professional development opportunities for existing SLQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
3.2Increase opportunities for businesses owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in supplying their goods and services to SLQ. / Director, Corporate Services / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Commit to an annual procurement target for the use of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
Examples:
Aboriginal graphic illustrator, Welcome to Country, catering at Yugambeh Museum, work-related accommodation(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils) and car hire in Lockhart River.
All cost centre managers / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Continue to build procurement options through consulting Black Business Finder, Queensland’s database of Aboriginal and Torres Islander businesses.
3.3 Increase diversity and equity of services, including through the Best Start family literacy initiative. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / December 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Develop and implement a plan to identify and address barriers to access including print and digital literacy issues; cultural, language and social barriers; and geographic and technological barriers.
SLQ continued to identify and address barriers to access.
Examples:
Grants for library materials to provide access to the Haddon Collection of Torres Strait Islands materials in IKCs across the Torres Strait
Refinement of the First 5 Forever early years literacy program to enhance cultural fit with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Tracking progress and reporting
Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Target / 2016 calendar-year achievements
4.1 Report achievements, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia for inclusion in the RAP Impact Measurement Report. / Director, Regional Access and Public Libraries / Submit to by 30 September 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia each year.
Submit to by 30 September 2015, 2016 and 2017 /
- Publish an annual RAP Progress Report on the SLQ website.
4.2Refresh SLQ RAP. / Director RAPL / December 2017 /
- Refresh and update the SLQ RAP based on key learnings and achievements from previous RAP and forward to Reconciliation Australia for review and endorsement.
Page 1 of 16