Transport Canberra and City Services has launched the new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which will run between 2023-2026.
The RAP outlines our commitment as an organisation to take part in the journey to reconciliation and what we will do to help achieve this.
We have made the following commitments:
- embed our cultural integrity framework into our daily business,
- become an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
- become a valued client for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, and
- build and nurture stronger and more meaningful relationships with the Traditional Custodians, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and within the ACT Government.
In support of the RAP, we are committing to turn our words into actions by working with Ngunnawal artists Lynnice Church and Leilani Keen-Church. They created a striking artwork to go with this RAP. The artwork represents the journey of reconciliation that TCCS along with the Ngunnawal and Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community walk together.
The Story of Our Art
We are mother and daughter and as Ngunnawal traditional custodians, community members and artists these are the words of our ancestors and Elders whose footprints are the first on country and which many visitors including other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across Australia and Transport Canberra City Services (TCCS) proudly follow in today.
The artwork we have created together demonstrates the journey of reconciliation that TCCS along with our non-Aboriginal brothers and sisters, the Ngunnawal and Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have walked together. This is a journey of growth and ability to incorporate cultural integrity into the everyday work of TCCS and the relationships and respect that continues to create opportunities for reconciliation and better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
The symbols of reciprocity and the importance of respect and responsibility in managing the land and caring for country is important to TCCS as it continues a culturally significant duty. One of the key responsibilities of TCCS is the management of land in acknowledging and recognising that this is the land of the Ngunnawal people, strengthening and maintaining relationships with them and the Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is of the utmost importance.
The artwork is titled “You may leave your footprints here”.
For more information see Reconciliation Action Plan.
