Aboriginal Programs

Recognition

The City of Hobart recognises Tasmania's 40 000 plus years of Aboriginal heritage and culture. In recognition of the deep history and culture of our city, we acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the Traditional Custodians of this land.

We acknowledge and lament the loss of the Muwinina people here in Hobart as well as the strong impacts of colonisation on all of Aboriginal Tasmania. We acknowledge the determination and resilience of the Palawa people of lutruwita/Tasmania who have survived invasion and dispossession and continue to maintain their identity, culture and rights.

We recognise that we have much to learn from Aboriginal people today, who represent the world's oldest continuing culture. We pay our sincere respects to Elders past and present and to all Aboriginal people living in and around Hobart.

We Celebrate Tasmanian Aboriginal community, heritage and culture.
Hobart: A community vision for our island capital. Pillar 2.1

The City of Hobart's commitment to Aboriginal people

Previous work

Work in the area of Aboriginal Programs over the past two decades was been guided by the City of Hobart's Aboriginal Strategy 2002. Work within this strategy included:

• engaging with Aboriginal people on projects of significance
• recognising significant events including NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week by attending community events, holding City of Hobart events and flying the Aboriginal Flag
• providing cultural awareness training to staff and Elected Members
• employment of an identified Community Development Officer - Aboriginal
• provision of an Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome to Country at all major events
• projects to increase Aboriginal content in signage and interpretation across the city
• public art installations reflecting Aboriginal history and culture
• supporting the participation of Aboriginal individuals, groups and organisations in the life of the city, including major events such as the Christmas Pageant and The Taste of Tasmania
• supporting Aboriginal community and cultural activities through the Grants Program.

Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan 2020-2022

The City of Hobart officially launched the Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan in January 2020. The plan follows a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan Model but is unique to the city. This plan continues the work of the Aboriginal Strategy 2002 but builds upon it with new targets. The ambitious targets of our new Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan are outlined in 20 actions with 66 deliverables. These targets guide our Aboriginal work within the city and allow us to continue and expand our work in this space.

View the full version of the Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan(PDF, 3MB).

Key themes and areas of action identified through in-depth engagement and consultation in development of the plan included:

• building relationships and working in partnership with Aboriginal people
• building a culturally safe workplace and increasing understanding and respect
• raising the profile of Aboriginal people, heritage and culture across the city and sharing the truth of history
• demonstrating leadership in social justice and inclusion in partnership with Aboriginal people.

Progress Under the Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan

Key achievements include:

• civic banners acknowledging the first peoples installed across the city
• development of an Aboriginal Language and Protocols Guide to support respectful communications, Welcomes to Country and Acknowledgements of Country across the organisation
• contracted three Aboriginal artists to deliver temporary art projects to reinterpret the William Crowther statue in Franklin Square. The fourth project has been awarded to a partnership that includes an Aboriginal artist.

For a more complete understanding of our achievements under the plan, please see our annual progress reports:

2020 Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan Report(PDF, 125KB)

Resources

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