Why now? | RAP - Flinders University

Why now?

Flinders University has committed to consulting, developing and implementing an Innovate RAP following two decades of incremental advances in prioritising Indigenous engagement in higher education.

Through this Innovate RAP and our ongoing commitment to implementation, we will be working across our staff, student and alumni community to increase respectful recognition, knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contributions.

The University, through this inaugural Innovate RAP, seeks to build on the achievements made under the Indigenous Engagement Framework, and to further commit to improving the lives and well-being of Indigenous Australians and ‘closing the gap’. The University seeks to create an environment that is culturally inclusive in all aspects of its business. As a University community we acknowledge the emotional labour, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the responsibilities associated with reconciliation.
The strategies in this Innovate RAP aim to directly contribute to:

increasing Indigenous participation, retention and success in higher education, and
increasing levels of economic and social participation for Indigenous people and their communities
increasing cultural competence for all staff and students.

Reconciliation Actions Plans are nationally recognised as a proven model to achieve positive change across wide and diverse organisation. Flinders University has identified that an Innovate RAP is the next step in its journey.

Our RAP demonstrates the commitment by Flinders University’s Senior Leadership to progress the whole organisation towards respectful recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and contributions.

^{Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa (Pitjantjatjara/Pintupi, Australian)

born c1935, Kaltukatjara near Docker River, Northern Territory

died 2013}

^{Untitled 2007

synthetic polymer paint on linen

90.6 x 90.8 cm}

^{Gift of Emeritus Professor JVS Megaw and Dr M Ruth Megaw

Flinders University Art Museum Collection 4461

Image © Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa /Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency, 2019}

Reconciliation Action Plan Governance

Our Governance structure is representative of both Academic and Professional Staff at all levels of the University. There are four people represented on the Steering Committee who have identified as Indigenous, and nine on the RAP Working Group.

Champions

To take this forward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Clare Pollock and Vice-President and Executive Dean, College of Medicine and Public Health Professor Jonathan Craig, members of the University’s Senior Executive Team, nominated to advocate for this process across the institution. To support this consultation across the University community Professor Tom Calma AO, Chancellor of the University of Canberra and Co- Chair of Reconciliation Australia volunteered his time to facilitate consultations forums across our locations, and with University Council. National ratification of this Innovate RAP signifies the University’s commitment to reconciliation, by which we can benchmark our progress on strategic initiatives and actions.