Danjoo Koorliny: Many cultures, one public service

Working with Indigenous knowledge systems to deliver better services for all Western Australians

Western Australia will mark the 200^th anniversary of the arrival of colonial settlers in 2029. With the colonists came their western system of knowledge. A system that has subsequently dominated public policy and its administration across our vast state.

For tens of thousands of years, the many First Nations across the state have maintained complex and valuable knowledge systems borne from a deep understanding and respect for this awe-inspiring place.

We stand on the cusp of an exciting new era. Given the scale of challenges we face, especially in caring for the Boodja (country encompassing land, sea and sky) that sustains us, it is imperative that we embrace the opportunity to walk together. There is an urgency to this task. Goodwill among institutions and people is building but it may not hold. Elders and other knowledge holders among first nations are racing against time to ensure damage caused by colonisation to knowledge is repaired. If successful, the project of bringing Indigenous knowledge and that of the many cultural traditions that now call this land home together, provides an incredible opportunity. An opportunity to deliver public policy and services of this place, for this place, for a stronger, healthier future.

This seminar will provide you with critical insights, based on leading edge practice, as to how your organisation can embrace Indigenous nations and knowledge to create policy and services that are more effective for being fully aware of where and who they serve, from conception to delivery.

This session is primarily for those who have a responsibility in their organisation to create policy, to design and improve services and to monitor and update strategic plans.

It will be of interest to people with a commitment to reconciliation and those with responsibility for implementation of reconciliation action plans.