Many organisations have Reconciliation Action Plans and Inclusion and Diversity initiatives. While they are generally well intended, often their implementation (or lack thereof) can result in negative work experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

Presented by Liz Clarke this presentation will focus on her lived experience as an Aboriginal woman working in the environmental profession. She will provide some vulnerable insights, hard truths, and recommendations for allies to improve the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. This will include perceptions of tokenistic vs meaningful engagement/ initiatives; being inclusive vs intrusive; cultural burden (as discussed in a Diversity Council of Australia paper); and being respectful of boundaries when it comes to participation.

Liz will talk about simple, meaningful ways that leaders and colleagues can support their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peers. And that Indigenous employment should be based on more than meets quotas/targets; it needs to based on a genuine need for that role and be supported by strategies and training to retain employees. Three key takeaways from this presentation will include
1. Reconciliation and inclusion and diversity needs to focus on meeting the needs of employees.
2. Listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and conduct your own research to ensure inititatives are not tokenistic.
3. Understand that like any demographic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not all the same.

Liz Clarke | Principal Environmental Consultant at Attexo Group and Certified Environmental Practitioner

Liz specialises in environmental assessment, approvals and compliance under Queensland legislation. Liz is a Gunggari woman whose Country is in the Maranoa Region in south-west Queensland. She is passionate about truth-telling and using her lived experience to influence change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Liz also painted the artwork for EIANZ’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

This event will run off Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) and will run for 1 hour. The webinar will be recorded therefore attendees and a link to the webinar will be sent to all registered attendees in the days after the webinar.

Consider joining as a student, associate or full member today! To receive the member rate to the webinar make sure you apply for membership prior to registering. Join here →