Bridging now to next | The West Australian

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Bridging now to next | The West ***********

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) commenced on May 27. It is an important time to learn more about our shared history, culture and achievements, as well as consider how we can all contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

The theme for this year’s NRW is ‘Bridging Now to Next’, which reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future, and calls on all Australians to step forward together.

This is a timely theme and an opportunity to outwardly pay our respects to the incredible knowledge and experience which Aboriginal Elders, traditional owners and community members have in connection with their land.

This deep connection to the land is directly relevant to the work the urban development industry does in the creation of new communities and enhancement of existing ones across the state.

Meaningful community engagement is an integral part of forming successful places and spaces for people to live, work and play to ensure they are vibrant, inclusive and respectful.

Creating a strong connection to place through listening, learning and engaging with Elders, traditional custodians and local community members is an important aspect of understanding and ensuring connection to the land is represented, understood and integrated into communities.

This week, UDIA WA has been participating in opportunities to learn more about Aboriginal people’s lived experience and the role we can all play in reconciliation, including attending Reconciliation WA’s breakfast event in Fremantle on the morning of May 27, along with more than 1000 guests.

UDIA WA also hosted its own event in partnership with DevelopmentWA on May 28, where we learnt more about authentic Aboriginal engagement practices and had the opportunity to participate on a study tour to the Subi East redevelopment site.

Here, we followed the Six Season Bidi Trail, which features seasonal landscaping and artwork representing the six seasons of Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang.

We also visited Yagan Square and explored how this development has created storytelling opportunities for Whadjuk Noongar female artists.

On Tuesday June 3 – the final day of NRW – the UDIA WA team will participate in the Walk for Reconciliation at Galup (Lake Monger), where we will walk in solidarity with local Whadjuk Noongar people and community members.

Galup, which translates to ‘place of fire’, holds significance for the Whadjuk Noongar people as a place where many families used to camp and nurture their communities in the area prior to colonisation.

UDIA WA’s commitment to reconciliation has been formalised in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which was endorsed last year and outlines how our organisation is taking meaningful action to advance reconciliation based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities.

You can read more about our RAP in the About section on the UDIA WA website.

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