Respect – focus and actions

Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, lands and waters, histories and knowledge is essential to our department’s continual growth and for individuals, families, and communities. We want reconciliation to be a core value that guides our strategies, programs and services.

We are committed to working in partnership with, and will continue to promote and celebrate, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, to improve the cultural, spiritual and family wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in South Australia. We are also deeply committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who engage with our services are recognised, respected and receive the highest quality of service that is appropriate to their needs.

We want to build on our cultural intelligence, develop our programs to work with our communities and strengthen the respect we have for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and community members through learning and positive promotion of the reconciliation agenda.

Respect focus area

Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aligns with our department’s strategic objectives to support independence and participation, make our communities stronger and provide the best services.

Action 7: Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning

Number	Deliverables	Timeframe	Responsibility
7.1	Conduct a review of cultural learning needs and opportunities within all DHS divisions, ensuring differing DHS divisional needs are noted.	June 2022	ED, People and Performance
7.2	Continue to consult local Traditional Owners and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisors on the development and implementation of a ‘Cultural Learning Package’ for DHS, ensuring differing DHS divisional needs are catered for.	June 2022	ED, People and Performance
7.3	Develop, implement, and communicate the ‘Cultural Learning Package’ for our staff, ensuring differing DHS divisional needs are catered for.	August 2022	ED, People and Performance
7.4	Report to DHS Executive on the annual progress, of the below stakeholders, in cultural learning opportunities using 6.1 as the baseline measures for this report DHS Reconciliation Committee HR Managers Other key leadership staff	December 2022, 2023	ED, People and Performance
7.5	Support the DHS Aboriginal Workforce Strategy (Focus Area 3: Senior Leadership and Succession Pipeline’) that enables the increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders across all divisions of DHS to lead our department with cultural authority and intelligence.	June 2022, 2023	ED, People and Performance

Action 8: Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols

Number	Deliverables	Timeframe	Responsibility
8.1	Develop a ‘DHS Aboriginal Cultural Protocols’ document that supports DHS staff in their work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders across South Australia.	September 2022	ED, Strategy and Reform
8.2	Ensure the ‘DHS Aboriginal Cultural Protocols’ is inclusive of (but not limited to): understanding and significance of Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country use of Acknowledgement of Country at meetings use of Welcome to Country and engagement/invitation of Traditional Owner/Custodian at significant events specific community groups and geographical regions significant events and dates throughout the year inclusivity of Aboriginal voice in DHS work areas cultural style guide providing guidance for appropriate use of images, artwork and language.	September 2022, 2023	ED, Strategy and Reform
8.3	Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders to support the development of the ‘DHS Aboriginal Cultural Protocols’ document, reviewing annually to ensure the most up to date information is included.	September 2022, 2023	ED, Strategy and Reform
8.4	Ensure all DHS staff are informed of and provided ‘DHS Aboriginal Cultural Protocols’ document through: induction packs launch event team meetings easy accessibility on the DHS intranet.	September 2022, 2023	ED, People and Performance
8.5	Create and display a visible Acknowledgment of Country plaque in all DHS office entrances.	March 2024	ED, Finance and Business Services

Action 9: Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week

Number	Deliverables	Timeframe	Responsibility
9.1	Reconciliation Committee to participate in at least one NAIDOC Week event external to DHS event.	July 2022, 2023	Chairperson, DHS Reconciliation Committee
9.2	Promote and encourage participation of all DHS staff in at least one external NAIDOC event each year (virtual or live).	July 2022, 2023	ED, People and Performance
9.3	Review HR policies and procedures to remove barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week activities (which are accessible during working hours).	April 2022	ED, People and Performance
9.4	Senior staff and leaders to publicly acknowledge, through social media and internal media platforms, NAIDOC Week and DHS’s commitment to recognising the importance of this week.	June and July 2022, 2023	ED, People and Performance
9.5	Explore opportunities to engage with the South Australian NAIDOC Week Committee, in their event and activity offerings during NAIDOC Week.	June 2022, 2023	Chairperson, DHS Reconciliation Committee
9.6	Increase awareness of 9.1 by placing this information on the DHS Reconciliation webpage (in 5.2)	April 2022	ED, Strategy and Reform

Action 10: Increase awareness across DHS of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander significant dates and places

Number	Deliverables	Timeframe	Responsibility
10.1	Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders to co-develop a fact sheet of significant dates and places across South Australia and how they relate to the work of DHS.	July 2022	ED, Strategy and Reform
10.2	Finalise naming of prominent DHS meeting rooms in Adelaide and regional offices in consultation with the local Traditional Owners.	April 2023	ED, Finance and Business Services

Page last updated : 27 Feb 2023