Last Tuesday, I attended an online presentation, titled “Culture Forum: Openness and Engagement” hosted by the University of Sydney as part of National Reconciliation Week.
As both a professional and a teacher, I struggle to determine the most appropriate, respectful and meaningful way to engage with Indigenous cultures through my work. How can we support reconciliation through architectural practice and recognise the rich indigenous heritage of this country? How do we decolonise architecture, academia? Certainly our education systems are somewhat lacking (an understatement). As a university teacher I recognise my responsibility in working to remedy this.
I am afraid to make mistakes, but I must take the time to educate myself and encourage others to do so, too. I may make mistakes, but I willingly accept responsibility for this and strive to be better.
I leapt at the opportunity to engage with this forum, hoping there may be some answers. It was an invaluable talk, from which I took a lot. The following is a summary of practical suggestions provided by the speakers, but written here in my own words.
Practical strategies to support reconciliation:
Tell the full range of stories in law and justice. Dispossession and resilience is part of our history
Decolonise curriculum and academia
Be a part of it, engage with the community: engage in conversation, ask questions, walk side by side.
Fear of the unknown? Educate yourself. Get familiar. Own up to your lack of knowledge. Inform yourself and get rid of the ignorance.
Learn the languages. Language teaches you about a culture. Even a place or clan name can tell you so much about the history of that area or people.
Every day think of something Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. I interpreted this as a combination of all of the above strategies. As a process of engraining Indigenous history and culture consciously within our every day lives. I ask myself; whose unceded land do I live on, work on, design and build on? To whom do I owe the name of my suburb? What is the English translation of that Indigenous word? Immediately I learn so much.
My first step, is to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which I operate. So, sincerely:
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country on which we operate, the Wodiwodi people, of the Dharawal (Tharawal) Nation. I recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Jessica Bradley, Director
The forum was moderated by Culture Strategy Director Professor Tim Soutphommasane, the panel included:
Professor Jakelin Troy, Director of Indigenous Research, Research Portfolio
Liam Harte, Director of Indigenous External Relationship Development, Indigenous Strategy and Services Portfolio
Vita Christie, Program Manager, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Sydney Medical School
Professor Simon Bronitt, Head of School and Dean, Sydney Law School
