2023-24 progress towards First Nations Inclusion

Highlights included development of an Aboriginal-led deliberation process in the Latrobe Valley, engagement in south west Western Australia and the Bowen Basin and continuation of the First Nations VET Pathways project.

Through our projects and directly, we worked to take meaningful steps to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations to achieve their aspirations. Key actions against our First Nations Inclusion Strategy pillars are outlined below.

Leadership and governance

Acknowledged the significant contribution of our inaugural First Nations College Director Vanessa Elliott and welcomed incoming Director Shirley McPherson, following an open nomination.
Hosted four First Nations Advisory Team (FNAT) meetings to inform project design and delivery in addition to identifying the group’s 2024 two FNAT members retired during the period.
Focused on strengthening relationships, leading to a steady increase in engagement across our work and activities. This included through direct briefings and our NAIDOC Week 2024 event.
Co-designed the ‘Restoring Country’ webinar.

Impact and translation

Participated in key events, such as the Society for Ecological Conference and Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration (AEMEE) conferences and First Nations Clean Energy Symposium.
Ensured a strong focus on First Nations perspectives and aspirations for closure across our 2023 Annual Forum Program and in planning for our 2024.
First Nations VET Pathways Project Leader Zane Hughes was appointed as Chair of the Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel (SWAP).

Research and capability

Engaged Associate Professor Mandy Downing, Dean, Indigenous Futures, Curtin University, to deliver an ethics workshop and raise awareness of our researcher First Nations Inclusion resources.
Continued to promote our HDR Program. Two of 23 HDR students are First Nations people.
Held a field trip to support the ‘Pit Lakes Management and Assessment project’ to south-west Western Australia, including Talison Lithium Greenbushes and Lake Kepwari in Collie.
Co-designed Aboriginal deliberation with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation for the ‘Collaborative planning for post-mining development in the Latrobe Valley’ project (Stage 2).
Profiled Indigenous businesses in the ‘Enabling mine closure and transition: Opportunities for Australian industry report’, with the research featured in The National Indigenous Times.

Participatory frameworks

Began partnering with CSIRO on a pilot Aboriginal research priority identification workshop held in Geraldton in July 2024. Work is now underway to develop a workshop series.
Undertook recruitment for an Indigenous Research Officer to support the ‘Identifying capacity drivers for economic transition pathways’ project as well as a community engagement officer for the ‘National Mine Pit Lakes Initiative.’
Identified various opportunities for further Indigenous-led and co-designed research through the ‘Restoring Country’ series.

Restoring Country webinar series (case study)

For our first two series webinars:

A project plan and partnership agreement with the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining was developed with a kick off of the first two webinars for the Restoring Country webinar series in May and June 2024.

Further webinars were planned as well as a Restoring Country workshop at the 2024 CRC TiME Annual Forum and a final report.

The series has aimed to:

raise awareness of the scale and scope of activities undertaken in mine closure and rehabilitation, with a view these opportunities may align with Indigenous community or Indigenous business.
understand current practices and modes of engagement, including outcomes for participants and businesses, challenges and barriers.
learn about Indigenous perspectives on participation in mine rehabilitation and closure, and how that fits into broader ‘caring for country’ and community development/nation building.
envision what Indigenous-led participation in mine closure and rehabilitation services might look like in the future, and identify what industry, government and research partners can do in support.