As part of our ongoing commitment to Reconciliation through the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we're sharing highlights of our Reconciliation journey over the past quarter.
This includes making meaningful strides in cultural engagement, delivering strategic initiatives and deepening community connections across Kangan Institute.
Celebrating culture and learning
We marked NAIDOC Week with events at Broadmeadows, Bendigo and Echuca (as part of Dharnya Day led by Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation).
These gatherings created space for shared stories and cultural exchange. Staff, students and community members came together to listen, learn and honour the rich histories and living cultures of First Nations peoples.
To support ongoing learning, we introduced a new staff web platform featuring:
An interactive cultural map of Aboriginal Countries across Victoria
Practical tools to build inclusion for First Nations students and businesses
Resources like the Indigenous Education Library Guide, Narragunnawali education tools and the Kinaway Directory
This platform offers our people meaningful ways to explore and continue their learning journey, and build stronger, more respectful relationships with Country and community.
Elevating First Nations women in leadership
We proudly supported a delegation of First Nations staff, leaders, and RAP Committee members to attend the First Nations Women Leadership & Legacy Summit in Sydney – an inspiring gathering of trailblazers, allies and changemakers.
A standout moment was our RAP First Nations Co-Chair Amanda Maitland-Smith’s powerful contribution as a panellist in the session “Unpacking What it Means to be a Culturally Responsive and Safe Workplace.” Her insights helped shape the national conversation on embedding cultural safety in organisational practice.
Strengthening community connections
Our commitment to Reconciliation is grounded in relationships. This quarter, we deepened engagement with local Reconciliation networks, ensuring our values are reflected in regional strategies.
Strategic action for First Nations employment
We advanced the development of our First Nations Employment and Retention Roadmap, aligned with our 2030 Strategic Plan. This roadmap outlines clear, measurable goals to:
Increase and retain First Nations staff
Address cultural load
Embed cultural safety
Support career development, mentoring and wellbeing
It’s a bold step forward in building a workplace where First Nations employees feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Building cultural capability
To build deeper understanding across our workforce, we delivered two Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training sessions. These sessions are part of our broader commitment to equipping staff with the knowledge and cultural competency needed to create inclusive, respectful environments.
Reconciliation is a journey – and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made this quarter. But we also know there’s more to do. Together, we’ll keep walking forward to build an inclusive, respectful and innovative future for all.
Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VETASSESS, and eWorks are proudly aligned under the Bendigo Kangan Institute Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024-2026. This plan serves as a roadmap towards a future where First Nations peoples, their cultures, knowledge, and wisdom are celebrated and influence our approach to education, teaching and leadership across all brands.
