Implementing our RAP in relationship with First Nations businesses and artists
Justice & Advocacy
“In our workplaces we are keen to make a difference and contribute meaningfully in the Reconciliation journey, but we can sometimes struggle identifying opportunities to do this. One of the key ways we can practically make a difference is through our procurement decisions for both ongoing and ad hoc business and ministry needs,” says RAP Working Group member, Dr Stephen Hart
In our workplaces we are keen to make a difference and contribute meaningfully in the Reconciliation journey, but we can sometimes struggle identifying opportunities to do this.
One of the key ways we can practically make a difference is through our procurement decisions for both ongoing and ad hoc business and ministry needs.
For example, as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) our Diocese is increasingly supporting businesses registered with Supply Nation, which is Australia’s leading database of verified First Nation businesses.
Supply Nation promotes First Nations businesses because purchasing power delivers positive social outcomes.
As part of their mission, Supply Nation verifies businesses through a five-step registration, certification and audit process.
Supply Nation offers a number of businesses that are relevant to our purchasing practices, including printers and graphic designers; stationery suppliers; caterers; cafés; and, event venues.
For example, the ACSQ’s preferred printer is Snap Printing in Underwood, which is a First Nations business listed on Supply Nation. The online portal for Snap Printing is currently under maintenance while we redesign our stationery; however parishes, Diocesan Operations and St Francis College staff are welcome to email marketing@anglicanchurchsq.org.au to enquire about letterhead, business cards, envelopes, name badges and more.
Snap Printing at Underwood also offers graphic design services; corporate gifts and promotional items; and, retractable and flag banners.
Another Supply Nation business that we are increasingly using is Birrunga Gallery and Dining, which is located on Adelaide Street. Our relationship with this wonderful café, venue and catering business commenced several years ago when the Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission started hosting their anglican focus luncheons there.
In November 2021, the Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission (PMC) hosted a second luncheon at Wiradjuri-owned Birrunga Gallery and Dining where award-winning anglican focus writers were presented with artworks painted by Kuku Yalanji artist Lalania Tusa. Pictured are the Chair of the PMC, Cathy Grant; Oscar Delaney from St Andrew’s, South Brisbane who won Gold for ‘Best Young Writer’; ARPA Treasurer Allan Sauer OAM; and, anglican focus Editor Michelle McDonald
Since attending these luncheons, Anglican Schools Commission staff have become regulars, with Executive Director Sherril Butterworth a well-known patron as she often holds informal meetings and purchases artistic corporate gifts at Birrunga Gallery and Dining.
An additional benefit of engaging with First Nations businesses is this kind of special relationship we build with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the wider community.
The ACSQ is developing relationships with the following First Nations businesses (among many others):
- Birrunga Gallery and Dining (café, venue and catering business)
- Snap Printing (for example, for ACSQ stationery, graphic design services; corporate gifts and promotional items; and, retractable and flag banners)
- Tribal Experiences Aboriginal Dancers (for example, for Welcome to Country, Aboriginal dancing and smoking ceremony bookings – particularly Yuggera, Quandamooka, Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka and Yugambeh peoples)
- Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Company (for Torres Strait Islander dancers and musicians)
- Sylvia Nakachi (for example, for Torres Strait Islander women’s weaving workshops)
- Dean Tyson (for example, for men’s cultural workshops)
- Three Little Birds (for catering)
- Lalania Tusa (for example, for dot painting commissions, dot painting and jewellery making workshops and cultural capability training)
Tribal Experiences Aboriginal Dancers conducted the smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and dancing at the launch of our new Reconciliation Action Plan last year and Three Little Birds provided the catering.
The Rev’d Patrick King during the smoking ceremony at the launch of the new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan on 23 November 2021 at St John’s Cathedral. Tribal Experiences conducted the smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and dancing at the launch
Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owner Lalania Tusa has led dot painting and jewellery-making workshops and operated a stall at On Earth festivals; facilitated a dot painting workshop for the St Francis College’s team retreat; designed Christmas cards for the Cathedral; and, painted custom corporate gifts for award-winning anglican focus contributors.
Kuku Yalanji artist and traditional owner Lalania Tusa shared about totems and totemism and taught dot painting during her On Earth festival workshop on 16 October 2021
Young Kabi Kabi, Koa and Yuin artist Stevei O’Chin, whose works feature prominently at Birrunga Gallery and Dining, was commissioned by our RAP Working Group in 2019 to paint three stunning interrelated Aboriginal dot paintings representing our Diocesan Regions.
Kabi Kabi, Koa and Yuin artist Stevie O’Chin introduced her ‘Being Together’ dot painting to Archbishop Phillip Aspinall on 24 January 2020 in St Martin’s House, Brisbane in the lead up to the Archbishop’s 2020 Diocesan annual theme ‘Being Together: Practising Peacemaking’ launch
The First Nations suppliers and artists we recommend offer quality products and services, which is a win-win for our Church community and the supplier or artist.
By engaging First Nation businesses, we are supporting an important deliverable under the “Opportunities” pillar of our Diocesan Innovate RAP to “Develop commercial relationships with First Nations businesses and artists.”
Women from across our Diocesan community came together on Thursday 12 November 2020 during NAIDOC Week in the Cathedral Precinct’s Darnell Room for a workshop to learn Torres Strait Islander weaving skills from Sylvia Nakachi
Editor’s note: The Finance and Diocesan Services Commission has published a list of First Nations suppliers and artists on The ARC. First Nations businesses will be added to this list in an ongoing way.
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