Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Action Plan is our commitment to building our cultural understanding and sensitivity, and embed First Nations perspectives, leadership and representation in our work.
Why this is important
Cultural capability is the understanding of Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their history, the integration of those cultures into work practices, and an appreciation of those cultures in decision-making and service delivery.
It improves the skills, knowledge, behaviours and systems that are required to engage, plan, support, improve and deliver services in a culturally safe and respectful way.
The Commission is committed to building our cultural understanding and sensitivity to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for First Nations people. By incorporating this understanding into our practices, policies and interactions, we aim to advance health equity and strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
What we did
The Commission has developed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Action Plan.
The Plan draws upon the Queensland Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework (the Framework), which has been established to guide agencies to support the Queensland Government’s efforts towards reconciliation.
The Framework underpins all Queensland Government actions aimed at ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders enjoy the same opportunities—economic, education, health, housing and social—as non-First Nations Queenslanders.
Our plan guides how the Commission should do business, so we can ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders can share equally in the future of our State.
The Framework’s vision is:
Culturally capable government agencies and funded organisations that provide efficient, effective and responsive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are an inherent part of core business for all agencies.
About the plan
The Commission’s cultural capability action plan outlines the actions we will take to improve our cultural capability and meet our commitments across the following Principles:
- Valuing culture
- Leadership and accountability
- Building cultural capability to improve economic participation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and stronger partnerships
- Culturally responsive systems and service
This includes a number of actions to embed First Nations perspectives and leadership and strengthen representation across the Commission and its work.
The monitoring and implementation of the plan will be overseen by the Commission’s Executive Leadership Team and reviewed annually to monitor outcomes.
How does this support reform?
First Nations people continue to experience adverse health and wellbeing outcomes and are identified as an important group under Shifting minds, Achieving balance, Every life and The Queensland Trauma Strategy.
By actively improving the Commission’s cultural capability we are doing our part to improve systems and services that contribute to better social and emotional wellbeing outcomes and close the gap in health inequalities for First Nations people and communities.
The Commission recognises it is our collective effort and responsibiltiy as individuals, communities and government to ensure equality, recognition and advancement of First Nations Queenslands across all aspects of society and everyday life.
We are committed to strengthening opportunities for First Nations leadership and expertise across governance, coordination and the implementation of our work, to ensure the voices of First Nations people play a pivotal role and lead reform activities.
What is social and emotional wellbeing?
This term acknowledges the diverse ways that First Nations people and communities understand, conceptualise and describe a person's overal physical, mental, emotional and social wellness. It recognises the importance of connection to community, family, Country, land, sea, culture and spirituality on a person's wellbeing.
