Case Study: Blacktown City Council Corporate Cultural Awareness Training 🖤‍☀️‍❤️

Overview

In response to a growing need for cultural competence, Blacktown City Council approached Muru Mittigar to facilitate Aboriginal cultural awareness training for their staff. The training, conducted over a three-hour session, aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and protocols.

The session covered essential topics such as the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country, the impact of past policies on Aboriginal people, the Stolen, Hidden and Lost Generations, and the influence of colonisation. The training also explored Aboriginal art styles and the significance of storytelling within Aboriginal culture.

What We Did

Muru Mittigar’s tailored cultural awareness program for Blacktown City Council was delivered at our Western Sydney Culture Hub. The session was designed to respect the cultural heritage of local Traditional Owners, ensuring that no aspect of the training encroached upon their values.

Our corporate training programmes focus on the diversity of Indigenous cultures within the workplace, promoting a broader understanding of how cultural distinctions impact communication, attitudes and actions. This creates a platform for participants to gain a deeper respect and appreciation for Indigenous culture.

Central to the program was the recognition of how culture shapes beliefs and behaviours, which is key to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. The training helped participants understand how to engage with, manage, recruit, retain and support Indigenous staff while respecting the local Traditional Owners’ cultural heritage.

Approach / Staff Duties

The training was led by Uncle Wayne Cornish and Phillip Goh, both of whom brought a wealth of knowledge and experience. They utilised PowerPoint presentations to guide participants through the history of Aboriginal culture and its impact on contemporary society.

The session included the opportunity for participants to write their own Acknowledgement of Country, allowing for personal reflection and engagement with the material. Open dialogue was encouraged throughout, creating a space for questions and discussion, further deepening understanding and fostering inclusivity.

Results / Special Achievements

Following the training, staff at Blacktown City Council reported increased confidence in understanding and differentiating between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country. The staff also gained the ability to adapt their acknowledgements to reflect their personal connection to the land and the people.

The training fostered a stronger sense of teamwork and inclusion, with participants expressing a renewed understanding of the importance of cultural awareness in the workplace. The programme also facilitated a more profound understanding of Aboriginal history and the lasting impacts of colonisation, resulting in heightened cultural sensitivity and awareness across the council.

Testimonials

“I thoroughly enjoyed the training, as Wayne is very knowledgeable with history events from 1788 to the present. Wayne explained the importance of the ‘Welcome to Country and the Acknowledgement of Country’ and answered our questions with clear answers. I feel that Wayne covered a lot in the session. I recommend all staff members to be a part of this training, as it allows an insight into First Nations people’s past, present and how we can move forward towards the future. This training was 10/10 for me. I think there were many things I valued throughout the session, but the importance of making Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country something that comes from your heart is what I will take from this. I value my learnings from Uncle Wayne and how wonderfully he explained the significance of storytelling at different levels. Our learnings of history and what our Aboriginal brothers and sisters went through in the past shall not be forgotten. It was mind-blowing where the Missions/Stations were located. Everything about Wayne’s delivery was amazing and engaging.”

This positive feedback demonstrates the success of the training and highlights the lasting impact it had on participants’ understanding of Aboriginal culture and the significance of cultural protocols. The training programme proved to be an invaluable learning experience for Blacktown City Council staff, reinforcing the importance of cultural awareness and respect in the workplace.