Flinders University held its first Reconciliation Action Plan forum on March 1 – Progressing our RAP Forum: Sharing Our Stories – which brought together more than 100 participants across the university. Facilitated by co-chairs of the RAP Oversight Committee, Professor Jonathan Craig and Associate Professor Simone Tur, the forum updated the audience about the breadth of initiatives and approaches being taken to deliver the RAP objectives.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Colin Stirling, opened the forum reflecting our journey and the work ahead. “We have made some considerable progress and have much to celebrate, from the appointment of our inaugural Elders on campus, and the launch of our flagship Uncle Lewis Yarluburka annual public lecture – to the launch of our Tjilbruke student lounge, and the development of our reconciliation lapel pins which not only raise funds for Indigenous scholarships but are a visual sign of our personal commitment,” he said. “These are important and meaningful initiatives upon which we can, and must, continue to build. Because we still have a way to go; in fact, this is an ever-continuing journey.”

There are 16 core actions in the RAP informed by many more deliverables, under the themes of relationships, respect, opportunities, and governance.

Four presentations from the College of Medicine and Public Health, College of Business, Government and Law, College of Science and Engineering and Flinders University Art Museum shared stories about approaches to implementing the reconciliation action plan deliverables.

These presentations shared approaches to supporting Indigenous student success, the development of college- based RAP working groups, the use of Flinders’ Indigenous art collection to educate and expand discourse, and the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives within the curriculum within biodiversity and conservation.

Associate Professor Tur said “Sharing stories and yarning about the multiple approaches to enacting reconciliation is important. It is through these shared conversations and relationship building that transformation occurs.”

The RAP Oversight committee thanks all the presenters for their time and contribution to the forum.

There will be future RAP forums to share further information about the committed work of the university community to reconciliation.

• The Flinders community is invited to join in the coming Walking With Our Elders Forum on March 22 – see details in this edition of FiT.