Addressing digital inclusion in your RAP
Each year, National Reconciliation Week starts important conversations among all people, but for organisations it most likely raises the important topic of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Some corporations may reflect on their current RAP, while organisations that don’t have a RAP may consider creating one to sit within their strategic plan.
A RAP is a structured and nationally recognised statement that formalises commitments to reconciliation. Choosing to address digital inclusion within your RAP is a forward-thinking and proactive means of reconciling and investing in skills that are valuable to indigenous communities.
It is clear that 2020 has definitely challenged the way we operate personally and professionally. We have seen the world embrace and rely on digital technology like never before. In light of this shift, we caught up with Winyama’s Managing Director and Indigenous Mapping Workshop Australia (IMW) leader, Andrew Dowding, to discuss the importance of addressing digital inclusion within your company’s RAP.
Andrew, what should companies think about if they want to address digital inclusion within their RAP?
Firstly, you should think about activities or opportunities that occur within your company that intersect with existing Indigenous businesses in your area. I would recommend that all organisations looking to address digital inclusion seek an activity that contributes to an existing skill set.
It is important to find a program that will serve as a middle ground between your own organisation and an Indigenous organisation you choose to collaborate with.
Addressing digital inclusion must be about more than providing or procuring services. It is about building capacity and technical capabilities in Indigenous organisations, and more broadly - in communities. I would encourage businesses to collaborate with Indigenous organisations and contractors to tackle community identified gaps together. Working with Indigenous organisations toward an existing community need is an excellent place to start.
Andrew awarding scholarship winners at the IMW 2019
You have sponsors for IMW, is their support part of their organisation's RAP?
Definitely. The IMW is successful because it follows the method I mentioned previously. Google, who identify as a mapping company, sought collaboration with Winyama, an Indigenous mapping company.
The IMW is the activity that forms the middle ground between our two organisations. Collectively, we deliver expertise and training to Indigenous communities who are working in mapping and are looking to expand their current skill set.
For example, Indigenous rangers are already practicing digital mapping skills and working with digital tools. The IMW serves to build their technical skill sets and increases their employment prospects to meet the current job market.
Aside from mapping, what are some other sectors where digital inclusion can be addressed?
There are so many areas, but there are three sectors that come to mind when discussing the need for digital inclusion; the health sector, office collaboration and the Indigenous arts.
Our health system is advancing digitally at a rapid pace. Indigenous communities have access to some modern technologies, but a gap still exists when it comes to accessing services. To get involved in this space, I would suggest identifying how Indigenous communities can leverage technology to access medical services, particularly looking at where digital upskilling is needed to enable community members to feel confident accessing these services.
I feel that all businesses, including Indigenous businesses, can benefit from increasing their capabilities in office collaboration. During COVID-19, we noticed how the strength of our own digital collaboration kept our business resilient.
Within the Indigenous business sector, I see many opportunities to strengthen simple digital skills like email best practice, scheduling software, document management, video conferencing - and the wider uses of websites and social media to promote the activities of a business.
Lastly, I think that developing digital skills in remote Indigenous economies should be a huge focus. There are a range of core organisations in all communities that would benefit from this, one in particular is Indigenous art centres.
Andrew at the IMW 2019
These centres form a major part of the economy for remote Indigenous communities, but we see a noticeable gap when it comes to their digital inclusivity. Some Indigenous art centres have no digital presence and have struggled to sell their art online and following the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we have seen cultural art centres take a large financial hit.
You can help to address these gaps through collaborating with an Indigenous company or Indigenous contractor who understands the landscape. I’d avoid mustering something that is left of field and simply engage with an Indigenous organisation who understands the groundwork that has already taken place, and what steps need to be taken next. Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory provides Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses. This directory is a great place to start when seeking Indigenous businesses and contractors to collaborate with.
What are the benefits of collaborating with an Indigenous organisation?
The key benefit is realising that Indigenous-owned organisations have appropriate networks and a specialised knowledge of Indigenous communities.
Indigenous-owned organisations recognise the sensitivities and politics associated with Indigenous communities such as issues regarding copyright, Indigenous cultural and intellectual rights, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Indigenous-owned organisations also understand the value within Indigenous communities and how to respectfully harness that value to create community driven programs.
For example at Winyama, we hold strong relationships with Prescribed Body Corporates and Native Title Organisations. We understand their demographics, social obstacles, technical difficulties and staff capabilities that need to be taken into consideration.
Don’t have a RAP? Why your organisation should introduce a RAP to their future strategic planning
Organisations with a RAP in place are turning good intentions into positive actions, building trust and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
This collective action is creating the right environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access sustainable employment and business opportunities, and contributing to a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.
To learn more about how your organisation can create a RAP, head to Reconciliation Australia’s website