First Nations Action Plan

First Nations Action Plan

Introduction

Shaun Parker & Company (SP&Co) acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and create. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their invaluable cultural, artistic, and spiritual contributions to Australia.  Our offices are based on Gadigal land (Zetland, NSW)

This First Nations Reconciliation Plan reflects SP&Co’s unwavering commitment to reconciliation and aligns with our vision of fostering cultural leadership, inclusion, and equity in the performing arts sector.

Vision for Reconciliation

SP&Co envisions a future where the voices of First Nations peoples are central to Australia’s cultural landscape. By amplifying First Nations stories and artistry, we aim to contribute to healing and unity while celebrating the diversity and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Strategic Objectives

1. Cultural Safety and Awareness
   • Employ a First Nations Cultural Advisor to guide SP&Co’s policies, productions, and governance, ensuring cultural safety and alignment with First Nations protocols, when First Nations material is utilised or activated.
   • Deliver mandatory cultural awareness training for all staff, Board members, and collaborators.
   • Promote an internal culture of understanding and respect through regular engagement with First Nations Elders and cultural practitioners, led and guided by our First Nations Cultural Advisor.
2. First Nations Artistic Leadership
   • Prioritise the commissioning and development of First Nations-led works, with a focus on storytelling that celebrates cultural heritage and contemporary perspectives.
   • Establish mentorship and paid internship programs for emerging First Nations dancers and choreographers to foster career development.
3. Community Engagement
   • Build partnerships with local First Nations communities and organisations to co-create inclusive and meaningful projects.
   • Facilitate workshops, performances, and residencies in regional and remote areas, with special attention to First Nations missions in NSW.
   • Develop educational resource packs that include First Nations perspectives and knowledge.
4. Employment and Governance
   • Recruit First Nations individuals into leadership positions on First Nations cultural work.
   • Offer paid opportunities for First Nations artists across SP&Co’s productions and community engagement initiatives.
   • Ensure First Nations equity and inclusion is promoted on all new positions advertised for SP&Co.
5. Acknowledgement and Advocacy
   • Ensure all SP&Co events include formal Acknowledgement of Country and incorporate Welcome to Country ceremonies led by local Elders where appropriate.
   • Advocate for systemic change within the arts sector to dismantle barriers faced by First Nations artists and communities.

Key Initiatives and Actions

1. First Nations-Led Works
   • Launch new productions under the guidance of First Nations choreographers, including projects such as Hover Reimagined! by Tammi Gissell and emerging works by Beau Dean Riley Smith.
   • Feature First Nations music, dance, and storytelling in the works led by our First Nations choreographers.
2. Internship Program
   • Implement a paid internship program for First Nations dancers, offering hands-on experience in technique, creative development, and production management.
3. Regional Touring and Engagement
   • Expand SP&Co’s reach to regional and remote communities, offering accessible workshops and performances that highlight First Nations cultural expressions and stories as told by our First Nations-led works.
4. Collaborative Development
   • Partner with educational institutions and community organisations to deliver integrated dance education programs that centre First Nations perspectives as told by our First Natioins choreographers, including digital workshops that can reach regional and remote communities and missions.

Accountability and Evaluation

• Establish a dedicated Reconciliation Working Group to oversee the implementation and progress of this plan, as led by our First Nations Cultural Advisor, Tammi Gissell.
• Set measurable goals and timelines, with bi-annual progress reviews to ensure accountability.
• Publish an annual reconciliation report detailing achievements and areas for improvement.

Shaun Parker & Company is committed to embedding reconciliation into the core of its operations, reflecting the richness and diversity of Australia’s First Nations cultures. By fostering genuine relationships and creating opportunities for leadership, we will continue to champion equity, representation, and celebration of First Nations contributions in the performing arts and dance.