SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM

Innovate JULY 2019 Reconciliation JULY Action Plan 2021 Walking sticks Various artists, the Yurtu Ardla exhibition on view at the South Australian Museum 2019. This Reconciliation Action Plan is dedicated to the memory of Tauto Sansbury, member of the Museum’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee, in recognition of his leadership and contribution in the development of this plan.

Yidaki instruments from the South Australian Museum’s collection. 5 MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA

Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation Australia is delighted to provides the South Australian Museum with the welcome the South Australian Museum key steps to establish its own unique approach to reconciliation. Through implementing an Innovate to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) RAP, the South Australian Museum will develop program by formally endorsing its its approach to driving reconciliation through its inaugural Innovate RAP. business activities, services and programs, and As a member of the RAP community, the South develop mutually beneficial relationships with Australian Museum joins over 1,000 dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders. corporate, government, and not-for-profit We wish the South Australian Museum well organisations that have formally committed to as it explores and establishes its own unique reconciliation through the RAP program since approach to reconciliation. We encourage the its inception in 2006. RAP organisations across South Australian Museum to embrace this journey Australia are turning good intentions into positive with open hearts and minds, to grow from the actions, helping to build higher trust, lower challenges, and to build on its successes. As the prejudice, and increase pride in Aboriginal and Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation reminded the Torres Strait Islander cultures. nation in its final report:

Reconciliation is no one single issue or ‘Reconciliation is hard work—it’s a long, agenda. Based on international research and winding and corrugated road, not a broad, benchmarking, Reconciliation Australia defines paved highway. Determination and effort at and measures reconciliation through five critical all levels of government and in all sections dimensions: race relations; equality and equity, of the community will be essential to make institutional integrity; unity; and historical reconciliation a reality.’ acceptance. All sections of the community– governments, civil society, the private sector, On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the South Australian Museum on its first RAP, communities–have a role to play to progress and look forward to following its ongoing these dimensions. reconciliation journey. Pondi, 2002 The RAP program provides a framework for Freshwater rushes, shell organisations to advance reconciliation within Rhonda Agius, , Kirsty Darlaston, their spheres of influence. This Innovate RAP Sandy Elverd, Chrissie Houston, Kay Lawrence, Karen Russell 7 INTRODUCTION

The South Australian Museum is uniquely placed to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to tell the stories that underpin who we

Brian Oldman are as a nation. Director South Australian Museum

Following a detailed planning and The South Australian Museum values Aboriginal In 1994, the Museum helped establish the Ara new learning experiences. The award winning consultation process, I am proud to and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Iritja project; a secure online environment for Out of the Glass Case outreach program has cultures, recognising Aboriginal cultures A angu to share and discuss photographs, films, inspired a generation of museum professionals present the South Australian Museum’s provide a foundation of our shared history and sound recordings and documents – a unique and introduced young A angu to the rich first Reconciliation Action Plan. our shared future. Responsibly caring for and place where A angu can safely preserve and possibilities of a career in science. Community and staff feedback has been presenting Aboriginal material culture to the share culture. The South Australian Museum is uniquely crucial in informing this plan and I would world is done best in collaboration with Aboriginal The South Australian Museum’s Archives – of placed to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait like to thank everyone who contributed people and when guided by their deep cultural which two collections are on the UNESCO Islander peoples to tell the stories that underpin to this important conversation. knowledge and authority. The South Australian Australian Memory of the World register – and who we are as a nation. Every day I am proud of Museum is committed to presenting the rich Aboriginal Family History Team work with the relationships we nurture, the collaborations The South Australian Museum is a place where Australian Aboriginal cultures with Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we achieve and stories we present. I am awed by people wonder and learn about life on Earth people, in ways that are respectful to Aboriginal exploring their past. Archive resources are used the complexity of Australia’s past and excited by from 550 million years ago right to the present people and engaging for all. Our Reconciliation to help map family trees and help people connect the possibilities for the stories we can tell together day. Established in 1856, the South Australian Action Plan sharpens our focus on activities that with past family members through the drawings, in the future. I look forward to working closely Museum has become one of Australia’s most uphold these values. visited museums. In 2018 more than one million photographs, and other records held. Using the with you to implement the actions and achieve people engaged with the Museum through our Aboriginal staff in the Museum’s archives, records, the team also facilitates reconnection of our goals for an inclusive and engaged South city based galleries, research at the Science collection management and research areas present family members, providing a vital service Australian Museum as an important Centre, community and outreach programs, make significant contributions through their for people affected by the government policies site of Reconciliation. touring exhibitions and social media. Through professional expertise and cultural knowledge, that created the Stolen Generation. these channels, visitors have accessed the giving us a sound foundation to build upon. Every year a group of Museum scientists, world’s largest and most significant collection of Whether on the floor of the Australian Aboriginal educators and specialist volunteers drive almost Australian Aboriginal cultural material. Cultures Gallery, online, in the archives or off-site 1,500 kilometers to the A angu stores, or on Country in regional and remote parts Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands for a week of science The South Australian Government Aboriginal of the State, the Museum provides pathways activities in the bush classroom. Against the Affairs Action Plan for 2019–2020 provides to understanding and appreciating Australian spectacular setting of the outback, knowledge new opportunities to share this important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. collection even further. systems are shared and students explore

9 VISION FOR OUR BUSINESS RECONCILIATION

The South Australian Museum The Museum’s purpose is to inspire in all recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait people a wonder and curiosity about life Islander peoples as the First Peoples on Earth. Our vision is to use our world and understands reconciliation is the class collections to create and share responsibility of all South Australians. new knowledge, focusing on Australian

Our vision is for the Museum to be a site of Aboriginal and Pacific cultures, Earth reconciliation. To achieve this the Museum’s and Life Sciences. The Museum’s exhibition and research programs will be driven exhibitions, collections, programs and by the truth telling that underpins reconciliation; research activities contribute to a global including the uncomfortable truths of the understanding of human cultures and Museum’s own history. Collaboration is at the the natural world as well as supporting heart of our Reconciliation Action Plan and life-long learning in the community. our goals include building a strong pipeline of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who The Museum’s three research groups maintain can influence the Museum’s strategic goals from a strong track record in biological sciences, within the organisation, as well being conduits for earth sciences and humanities. The Museum is a guidance from Elders on Country. strong partner, with strategic relationships across the resources sector as well as with state and federal governments.

As at 30 September 2018, the Museum and Museum Foundation – located on North Terrace in the centre of – employed 130 people. Six full time employees and one casual staff member formally identified themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Museum’s purpose is to inspire in all people a wonder and curiosity about life on Earth.

Professor John Carty, Dr , and Premier at the opening of the Yurtu Ardla exhibition. Dr Thomas is the William and Margaret Geary Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture. 11 OUR RAP

We also recognise, as an organisation charged with telling the stories of our Country, that there can be no

Professor John Carty reconciliation without truth. Head of Humanities South Australian Museum Board Member Australian National Commission for UNESCO

As the custodian of the world’s most The custodianship of such collections carries developing a longer term storage solution for them. To the extent that Museums are archives of important collection of Aboriginal immense responsibilities. The Museum will continue Aboriginal cultural material. colonial practices and values, they afford a great to work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait opportunity for reconciliation today. They also material culture, the South Australian Building the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Islander people to clarify responsibilities in caring hold a great responsibility for that cultural change. Strait Islander peoples through employment, Museum has long been a place where for the Aboriginal objects, and for presenting and We hold that responsibility. cadetships and career development will secure Australians have been committed to representing stories in collaborative, culturally a pipeline of leaders to steward the Museum into We also recognise, as an organisation charged the fight for Aboriginal and Torres appropriate ways. Strait Islander rights and recognition. the future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with telling the stories of our Country, that there We will work with Aboriginal communities and staff will continue to work directly with the can be no reconciliation without truth. And the From ’s map outlining across government to contribute to the scope Museum’s collections, providing deep insights, truth – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the complexity of Aboriginal social and vision of ’s National Aboriginal and building the cultural competence of non- peoples – of Australian history, is often a painful organisation and languages, to the Art and Cultures Gallery through the Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. All new one. If we are not telling those stories of our past Dreamings exhibition, which was Affairs Action Plan 2019–2020. and existing staff will have the opportunity to together – of colonial violence, of Aboriginal the first to promote Aboriginal art to participate in cultural competency development. rights and the fight for them, of native title and the The Museum spaces will be reviewed to stolen generations, then we are neglecting our the world, to the archives that have incorporate Acknowledgements of Country and the The Museum Executive will set targets and responsibilities. We are ignoring the contexts in supported much Native Title and Stolen contributions of Aboriginal language groups from regularly measure our performance. The which some of our collections were made, and to Generations research: the Museum has across Australia to the collections. A statement Aboriginal Advisory Committee will play a key which they speak. been a strong voice in this story. acknowledging the Museum’s collection practices role in monitoring the progress of our actions. of the past will be developed. There will be active Outcomes will be reported broadly and social We want to be responsible for illuminating Alongside the South Australian Museum’s engagement with all Aboriginal communities media will be used to share our achievements. difficult histories, and forging positive futures. Aboriginal Family History Unit providing a vital affected by the repatriation of ancestral remains. Before we draft our next plan, we will evaluate But to influence Australian culture in these service to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Our new repatriation policy that places Aboriginal what has worked and ask for feedback so we can transformative ways, we have to be willing to people who were affected by government policies people at the heart of decision making about build on our success. transform ourselves. This Reconciliation Action that created the Stolen Generation, the Museum Aboriginal ancestral remains and repatriation will Plan is a watershed in mapping out an ambitious cares for an archaeological collection and Our Museum, like all museums, has also at times be implemented and reviewed within two years. and overdue transformation of the culture of 30,000 Aboriginal objects of great significance been a place of silences. A place where things Also as part of the Aboriginal Affairs Action Plan, our institution. to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have remained unsaid. We acknowledge this. We we will implement better protection for the care including irreplaceable artefacts, artworks and should have done more to elevate the voices that of objects in the short to medium term, while ceremonial items. speak from our collections, the hands that made 13 CHAMPIONS | ABORIGINAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE | WORKING GROUP

The South Australian Museum’s The first iteration of the Committee held The Working Group is representative of all of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee their inaugural meeting in September 1997, Museum’s functional areas and more than 30 per demonstrating the Museum’s longstanding cent of members are Aboriginal or Torres Strait is driving the first Reconciliation commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Action Plan. This group comprises Islander affairs. Aboriginal leaders bringing diverse • Brian Oldman • Jeremy Green perspectives and enduring knowledge The South Australian Museum Executive team Director | Working Group Chair Lead Exhibition Designer, Public Engagement of Aboriginal cultural heritage to guide are the champions of our Reconciliation Action • Brenton Macdonald • Mark Hutchinson Plan. As section heads and leaders, they are the Museum’s approach. Manager, Corporate Services Honorary Researcher, Herpetology responsible for ensuring local activities meet • Joanna Sharp • Jacinta Koolmatrie the Plan’s ambitious goals. The Executive The Committee was established under section Executive Officer Early Career Cadet, Humanities 9 of the South Australian Museum Act 1976, team comprises: • Professor John Carty • Keith Maguire | Collections Data Manager and and considers and makes recommendations to • Brian Oldman Head of Humanities Coordinator, Research and Collections the South Australian Museum Board on policy, South Australian Museum | Director collections and research activities related to • Kate Rice • Andrea Murphy | Marketing Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters. • Prof Steve Donnellan Project Coordinator, Humanities Enterprise and Communication Head of Research and Collections • Ali Abdullah-Highfold | Aboriginal Family and • Rebecca Richards The Committee may consider items related to • Head of Public Engagement Community History Manager, Archives Early Career Researcher, Humanities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural Position currently vacant • Shane Agius | Archive Access and • Jared Thomas | William and Margaret Geary heritage, Native Title, collections management, • Jenny Parsons Repatriation Officer, Archives Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or any other policy or strategic issue related to Head of Development Art and Material Culture, Humanities Museum activities in the area of Aboriginal and • Alice Beale Torres Strait Islander culture. • Simone Bannister Senior Collections Manager, Humanities • Lara Torr | Manager Community Programs, Manager Enterprise and Communication • Brett Chandler Public Engagement Committee members are respected Aboriginal • Brenton Macdonald Senior Exhibition Designer, Public Engagement • Jade Turner leaders, with good networks in and knowledge Manager, Corporate Services • Leslie Chisholm Early Career Cadet, Humanities of their communities. As at December 2018, the Collection Manager, Parasitology • Leanne Wheaton | Education Programs Committee comprises: A project of this magnitude would not be delivered Manager, Public Engagement without the initiative and enthusiasm of the • Andrea Crowther • David Rathman AM, PSM, FIML | Chairperson South Australian Museum RAP Working Group. Collection Manager, Marine Invertebrates • Fran Zilio • Sandy Miller The Group coordinated the consultations that • Lea Gardam Manager Information Services, Archives • Frank Lampard OAM informed the Plan and will be responsible for Collection Manager, Archives • Tauto Sansbury reporting on the Plan to the Executive. • Vicki Wilson 15 At the South Australian Museum, our Having first exhibited at the South Australian staff, our exhibitions, our community Museum from March to July 2017, September 2018 had the Museum’s Yidaki: Didjeridu and the engagement reflect our shared Sound of Australia exhibition make its mark on a responsibility to work towards cultural global scale by travelling to Japan as part of the change, framing the Museum not as an Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Lead by the world’s archive of material objects, but as a site most famous yidaki (didjeridu) master, Yolngu of reconciliation. Elder Djalu Gurruwiwi, the Museum was proud to not only be helping Yolngu artists share their For more than 20 years, the South Australian musical traditions with the world, but also to share Museum’s reconciliation journey has been shaped one of the world’s truly great cultural collections by Aboriginal voices. Engagement between with a global audience. Aboriginal communities and the Museum resulted in the creation of the Australian Aboriginal The South Australian Museum continues to Cultures Gallery. For the last nineteen years the develop an innovative series of free exhibitions, Museum has worked with Aboriginal communities designed to provide a deep focus on community to present the greatest collection of the world’s engagement and promote audience awareness oldest living continuous culture and demonstrate of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to the world the creativity, ingenuity and diversity cultures. One feature of the series for the 2018 of Australian Aboriginal cultures. was with Artist Jacob Stengle, which also involved the curatorial Guided by Aboriginal voices, visitor spaces debut of Jade Turner. An Arrernte woman, Jade have been transformed into safe spaces for is part of the Museum Pathways program, an Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander peoples Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cadetship and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program, which also brought to the Museum people to openly discuss the history of Australia Jacinta Koolmatrie ( and and the historic treatment of Aboriginal and Ngarrindjeri) and researcher Rebecca Richards Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our collection (Adnyamathanha and Barngarla) – Australia’s first management policies have been rewritten to Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar – all who continue their reflect cultural protocols in the appropriate important role within the Museum. care and development of the collections. Our journey is ongoing. Our external partnerships February 2019 saw the launch of a new printed have supported our capacity to develop cultural and electronic resource from the Aboriginal competency of our staff and the cultural Family History Unit making it easier for Aboriginal awareness of our visitors. and Torres Strait Islander people – including members of the Stolen Generation – to become We have acknowledged the historical attitudes the authors of their own family histories. towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the treatment and study of their The Aboriginal Family History Unit was established ancestral remains. The Board has committed to at the South Australian Museum by Dr Doreen ensuring all ancestral remains cared for at the Kartinyeri, respected Ngarrindjeri Elder, in 1987 Museum are treated with respect and not as and has a proud tradition of helping Aboriginal specimens of scientific or historic interest. New and Torres Strait Islander people to make more repatriation processes are resourcing community connections with their past and present families led repatriation, a process the Museum sees as and culture. critical to reconciliation. In coming together for the Reconciliation Action As we continue to step our way through the Plan, the Working Group had the opportunity reconciliation journey, we will continue to evolve to think about what Reconciliation meant to Rebecca Richards our structures, policies and practices to be a us individually, and as a Museum. In addition, is an Early Career Researcher in the modern, inclusive museum, that is accessible the Working Group considered how we had Museum Pathways program to develop to everyone. performed historically and how we could use Aboriginal careers at the Museum. the RAP to put our best foot forward. 17 Community launch of Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia. Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

Building strong relationships between Aboriginal ACTION 1 and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians is central to the work of any modern RAP Working Group RWG to oversee the development, endorsement Chair, RWG July 2019 Australian Museum. We no longer curate (RWG) actively monitors and launch of the RAP. objects; we curate relationships. We create RAP development and Ensure diverse representation on implementation. July 2019, the RWG, including Aboriginal and Chair, RWG understanding, and a central part of that is 2020 allowing spaces in public life for non-Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples. and Torres Strait Islander people to ask July 2019, September questions and educate themselves, and RWG to meet each quarter 2019, to monitor and report on Chair, RWG December for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander RAP implementation. 2019, March peoples to share their stories and speak 2020, June 2020. for themselves. The South Australian Establish Terms of Reference Chair, RWG July 2019 Museum (SAM) creates a public for the RWG. space for difficult conversations that otherwise don’t exist, where ACTION 2 all Australians can examine our shared history together. Seek guidance Consult with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee and/or Ongoing and input from the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Director (report June Aboriginal Advisory Islander stakeholders, for their 2020) Committee and/ cultural advice and guidance. or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.

ACTION 3

Celebrate and participate Organise a program of internal in National Reconciliation and external events for NRW, Head of Public May 2020 | including at least one internal Engagement May 2021 Week (NRW). NRW event annually.

Register all NRW events (public Head of Public May 2020 | and private) via Reconciliation Engagement May 2021 Australia’s NRW website.

Ensure our RWG participates in an Head of Public May 2020 | external event to recognise and Engagement May 2021 celebrate NRW. RELATIONSHIPS

21 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

ACTION 4

Develop and maintain Identify key Aboriginal and Torres Promote reconciliation focused Manager, Ongoing Strait Islander organisations, stories and outcomes on social Enterprise and (report June mutually beneficial Head of communities and stakeholders May 2020 media channels. Communications 2020) Humanities relationships with as well responsible internal Aboriginal and Torres relationship managers. Promote reconciliation through Manager, Ongoing ongoing active engagement with Enterprise and (report June Strait Islander peoples, Meet with Aboriginal and Torres all stakeholders. Communications 2020) communities and Strait Islander organisations to Head of May 2020 organisations to support develop guiding principles for Humanities future engagement. positive outcomes. Develop and implement an engagement plan to work with ACTION 6 Head of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait May 2020 Humanities Islander stakeholders on public- Conduct a review of HR policies facing programs. Promote positive race Manager, and procedures to identify January relations through anti- Corporate Develop joint ventures, existing anti-discrimination 2020 Ongoing Services partnerships, pro bono support discrimination strategies. provisions and future needs. Director (report June or secondment and community 2020) capacity building opportunities. Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and Manager, Develop guidelines for | or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Corporate March 2020 Head of engagement with Aboriginal and May 2020 Islander advisors to consult on Services Humanities Torres Strait Islander artists. our anti-discrimination policy.

Develop, implement Provide culturally appropriate Manager, and communicate an services and facilities for Corporate May 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Head of anti-discrimination policy May 2020 Services Islander artists that ensure Humanities for our organisation. successful participation and Manager, collaboration with the Museum. Educate senior leaders on the Corporate June 2020 effects of racism. Services

ACTION 5

Raise internal and external Regularly share developments and progress on the Museum Ongoing awareness of our RAP to RAP with staff as part of all staff Director (report June promote reconciliation meetings, workshops and internal 2020) across our business communications. and sector. Develop and implement a Manager, plan to communicate our RAP September Enterprise and to the Museum`s onsite and 2019 Communications digital audiences.

23 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

Museums are places where the values of a ACTION 7 society are reflected in the stories that are told, and in the people that do the telling. Historically, Engage employees Provide opportunities for RWG members, RAP Champions, Manager, September museums have objectified Aboriginal and Torres in continuous HR Managers and other key Corporate 2019 Strait Islander peoples in ways that have placed cultural learning leadership staff to participate in Services cultural training. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures opportunities to increase understanding Implement the State Government and peoples in the past. This has led to a lack of and appreciation cultural awareness training Manager, September strategy for staff, building Corporate popular understanding of the cultural, legal and of Aboriginal and 2019 training into the Museum Services political standing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Torres Strait Islander induction program. Islander people in the present. A museum cultures, histories and achievements. Investigate opportunities to work with local Traditional that only shows objects is negating the Head of Owners to develop a specific May 2020 Humanities stories around those objects; a museum cultural awareness program for that doesn’t address questions of Museum staff. native title, of the Stolen Generation, Investigate local cultural experiences and immersion of frontier conflict and of Aboriginal opportunities, including staff Chair, RWG May 2020 participation in festivals and and Torres Strait Islander rights is events such as Garma and Yabun. only doing half its job. Respect comes from understanding, and the South Australian Museum – ACTION 8 as a trusted story teller – has RESPECT Engage employees In partnership with local an outsized responsibility Aboriginal communities, in understanding the implement and communicate for fostering that Head of December significance of Aboriginal a Museum cultural Humanities 2019 understanding and the and Torres Strait Islander protocol document for Welcome to Country and respect that follows. cultural protocols Acknowledgement of Country. to ensure there is a shared meaning. Work with local Aboriginal community members to create Head of Public an Acknowledgement of Country Engagement sign suitable for permanent December | Manager, display in the front foyer, to 2020 Enterprise and acknowledge and respect the Communications contributions of all Aboriginal language groups across Australia.

Develop a list of key contacts for organising a Welcome to Country Head of December and draw from this list for all Development 2019 public opening events.

25 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

ACTION 10 Invite a Traditional Owner to Ongoing provide a Welcome to Country Head of (report June at significant events, including all Development Actively promote and Develop SAM’s position of 2020) Educator in the North Terrace exhibition openings. celebrate Aboriginal and Ongoing Precinct: commit to one Sprigg Head of Public (report June Include an Acknowledgement of Ongoing Torres Strait Islander Lecture per year focusing on Engagement 2020) Country at the commencement Director (report June peoples, histories, cultures Reconciliation and Aboriginal and of all important meetings. 2020) and achievements past Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Create and distribute a SAM Manager, and present. September Seek funding for an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country Corporate 2019 Cultures Project Officer email signature for staff use. Services Head of Public September to support Front of House Engagement 2019 | Education and Public Programming initiatives. ACTION 9 Seek funding for an Aboriginal Educator to support the delivery December Director Provide opportunities Ensure all managers are of the new curriculum along with 2019 supportive of staff wishing to the Education team. for Aboriginal and Torres participate in NAIDOC Week, May 2020, Director Strait Islander staff to and provide opportunities May 2021 engage with their cultures for all staff to engage with community events. Develop a funding program for and communities by community led Aboriginal and Director June 2020 celebrating NAIDOC Week Torres Strait Islander exhibitions, with a target of $100,000 per year. and other cultural events. Provide a channel for staff to raise July 2019, Head of Public NAIDOC Week event ideas, and 2020, July Engagement support their co-development. 2021 Scope the redesign of gallery and exhibition labels, Head of Public December including language of origin Engagement 2020 Provide opportunities for all and language labels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait July 2019, collection pieces. Head of Public Islander staff to participate with 2020, July Engagement their cultures and communities 2021 during NAIDOC Week. Explore the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Head of Public Islander Cultures Discovery June 2020 Engagement Program Aboriginal and Torres Centre as part of a potential Strait Islander staff prescribed Museum redevelopment. Head of Public NAIDOC Week events utilising July 2019 Engagement Front of House / Discovery Centre Work with Aboriginal and temporary gallery spaces. communities and across government to contribute to the scope and vision of South Ongoing Australia’s National Aboriginal Director (report June Art and Cultures Gallery, as 2020) laid out in the South Australian Government Aboriginal Affairs Action Plan 2019–2020.

27 Community launch of Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia. Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

Museums, historically, have been places ACTION 11 where non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are employed to speak Collect information on our current Investigate opportunities Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait December Corporate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to improve and Islander staff to inform future 2019 Services cultures. Increasingly, Australian museums increase Aboriginal and employment opportunities. Torres Strait Islander are places where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Engage with existing Aboriginal employment outcomes and Torres Strait Islander staff Manager, December Islander peoples are not only taking control within our workplace. to consult on employment Corporate 2019 of the narrative of our history, but of the strategies, including Services professional development. employment and economic opportunities that Advertise all vacancies in Manager, December come from working in partnership. The South Aboriginal and Torres Strait Corporate 2019 Australian Museum has committed to Islander media. Services not only improving the stories it tells, but Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies to to empowering Aboriginal and Torres ensure there are no barriers Manager, December to Aboriginal and Torres Corporate Strait Islander communities, staff 2019 Strait Islander employees and Services members, and suppliers to grab future applicants participating those opportunities. in our workplace. Participate in the Governor’s September Aboriginal Employment Director 2019 Industry Clusters Program.

Scope the development of an Head of Aboriginal Cultures Research Research and June 2020 Officer position. Collections

Implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and retention strategy, resulting in the percentage of FTE Aboriginal Ongoing and Torres Strait Islander staff Director (report June rising to 9.0% by June 2020 (from 2020) 6.8% by June 2018 and 7.9% by June 2019) and including the employment of an Aboriginal person at management level.

Maintain the Museum Pathways program and deliver a project management template with Director July 2019 SAM mentoring opportunities for the 2019 program.

Develop new employment and management targets for SAM Executive and Board December Director approval, including percentage 2019 of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at AS04 and above. OPPORTUNITIES 31 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

ACTION 12 ACTION 14

Ensure staff involved in Develop an Aboriginal and Torres Investigate opportunities Manager, Integrate Aboriginal procurement are aware of December Strait Islander governed working Corporate to incorporate further the government’s Aboriginal 2019 and Torres Strait group tasked with evaluating the Services Head of Public Aboriginal and Torres Economic Participation Strategy. Islander peoples’ Australian Aboriginal Cultures May 2020 Engagement Strait Islander supplier perspectives into gallery, Gallery and other gallery spaces, Develop collecting priorities developing guiding principles for diversity within that ensure the acquisition or exhibition, archive and future redevelopment. the Museum. commission of contemporary storage spaces. Head of December artworks and objects directly In consultation with Aboriginal Humanities 2019 from the artist or from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Head of December and Torres Strait Islander-owned stakeholders, ensure all cultural Research and 2019 community art centres. material is more easily accessible Collections to community groups. Develop and communicate to staff a list of Aboriginal and Torres Manager, Develop new gallery and December Head of Public Strait Islander businesses that Corporate exhibition entry signage to June 2020 2019 Engagement can be used to procure goods Services include cultural content warnings. and services. Investigate opportunities to Head of Public Develop at least one new include traditional Aboriginal Engagement June 2021 commercial relationship with an December and Torres Strait Islander stories | Head of Director Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait 2020 within scientific galleries. Humanities Islander owned business. Scope the development of an Head of Public September Review procurement policies interpretive tour of the Museum Engagement 2020 and procedures to ensure that leverages new technologies. Manager, there are no internal barriers for December Corporate procuring goods and services 2019 Deliver a ‘by appointment Services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait only’ Aboriginal and Torres Head of Public June 2020 Islander businesses. Strait Islander guided tour Engagement of the Museum. Become a member of Director July 2019 Supply Nation.

ACTION 13

Investigate opportunities Develop specific policies and procedures for the proper for the development management of Museum Head of of long-term storage collections, both restricted December Research and and unrestricted, including the 2020 solutions and management Collections ongoing consultation with and of Museum Aboriginal inclusion of communities in and Torres Strait Islander management decisions. collections, with the As part of the South Australian continued consultation Government Aboriginal Affairs of communities. Action Plan, work with Aboriginal communities and across Director July 2019 government to contribute to the development of a long-term storage solution for Aboriginal cultural material. 33 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

ACTION 15

Engage with Aboriginal Publish on the Museum`s website a board-approved and Torres Strait Islander statement recognising the communities regarding impact of collection and research Manager, December practices of the past, affirming Enterprise and the repatriation of 2019 the Museum’s commitment to Communications ancestral remains. culturally appropriate collection management and repatriation of Aboriginal ancestral remains.

By 2020, engage 100 per cent of South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities whose ancestral Head of December remains the Museum holds, Humanities 2020 with plans available to work towards full repatriation of their ancestral remains.

Continue active participation in the Australian Government Indigenous Repatriation Program (IRP) to allow for 100 per cent of Head of December ancestral remains originating Humanities 2020 from interstate areas to be respectfully transferred to the relevant IRP Museum for repatriation.

Ngarrindjeri elder, Major Sumner, works regularly with the Museum on policy, repatriation and cultural projects. 35 Deliverable Responsibility Timeline

ACTION 16

Investigate participating in the Report RAP achievements, Chair, RWG May 2020 RAP Barometer. challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia. Complete and submit the September RAP Impact Measurement 2019, Chair, RWG Questionnaire to Reconciliation September Australia annually. 2020

Develop and implement systems December and capabilities to track, measure Chair, RWG 2019 and report RAP activities.

ACTION 17

Report RAP Publish a dedicated page on the Manager, Museum website to communicate Enterprise and June 2020 achievements, challenges RAP commitments. Communications and learnings externally. Include RAP initiatives in Manager, December regular internal Museum Enterprise and 2019 communications. Communications

Publicly report our RAP Manager, December achievements, challenges Enterprise and 2020, July and learnings. Communications 2021

Manager, July 2020, Publish a RAP Annual Report. Enterprise and July 2021 Communications

ACTION 18

Review | refresh and Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP December Executive Officer update RAP. based on learnings, challenges 2020 and achievements.

Send draft RAP to Reconciliation February Executive Officer Australia for review and feedback. 2021

Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal Executive Officer June 2021 endorsement. GOVERNANCE

37 Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia exhibition on view at the South Australian Museum 2017. For public enquiries regarding the South Australian Museum’s Reconciliation Action Plan, please contact the Museum’s Enterprise and Marketing Team by email at [email protected] or by phone on 0466 389 019 or 0475 834 072.