What is ‘Yandaarra – Shifting Camp Together’ - A Guide for Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and Engagement?

    ‘Yandaarra – Shifting Camp Together’ is a Draft Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and Engagement Guide, developed to assist Councillors, staff and volunteers to provide a consistent and respectful approach to engaging with the Aboriginal community.

    The Guide advocates a collaborative approach towards the protection of Aboriginal culture in the local government area and helps provide social and cultural understanding by acknowledging and celebrating Aboriginal perspectives and world views.

    It was developed by Murawin Consulting, a majority Indigenous-owned consultancy firm based on the Mid North Coast. Consultations were undertaken by Murawin with local Aboriginal Elders, community members and Aboriginal organisations, the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee and Council staff.

    The draft guide outlines useful information that can be used when consulting and working with local Aboriginal communities including:

    • The Gumbaynggirr nation and Aboriginal identity.
    • Significant ceremonies, dates and events.
    • Cultural practices and considerations (including Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements).
    • Community engagement protocols.

    How do I make a submission?

    For electronic/online submissions: Our Have Your Say screen has a "Make A Submission" section. You can upload an existing document using the Lodge a Submission link or you can type your comments in the field provided. You will be required to register legitimate contact details for your submission to be accepted.

    For submissions on paper: clearly mark your correspondence as a "Submission to 'Yandaarra – Shifting Camp Together’". It should be sent to: The General Manager, Coffs Harbour City Council, Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450. Alternatively, paper submissions can be delivered to Council's Administrative Centre at the corner of Coff and Castle Streets, Coffs Harbour (Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 4.30pm). Please provide your contact details to assist us to register and respond to your submission.

    When do submissions close?

    Submissions will be accepted up until 5pm on Wednesday 17 July 2019.

    What happens to my submission?

    Council will acknowledge receipt of submissions to ‘Yandaarra – Shifting Camp Together’. Submissions will be referred to Council staff for comment before being considered by Council prior to the finalisation of the Guide (expected in August 2019).

    Following the adoption of the Delivery Program (Year 3), Council will respond to submission writers to advise the outcome of each submission.