Promote Local Government Employment: Host events to engage with the Aboriginal community about careers in Local Government and standing as an Elected Member.
Develop Aboriginal Employment and Career Pathways: Develop targeted Aboriginal recruitment strategies, traineeships and mentoring programs to promote careers in Local Government.
Set Targets for Representation: Establish measurable goals for Aboriginal representation across staff, committees, and council. Ensure goals and roles are made public so Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.
Establish an Aboriginal Advisory Committee: The committee’s content should focus on building respectful relationships, understanding cultural protocols, and ensuring meaningful participation of Aboriginal peoples in decision-making processes. Key areas include defining objectives, outlining functions, establishing membership criteria to represent diversity of language groups and tradition owners, and detailing meeting and communication procedures.
Partner with Aboriginal Organisations: Collaborate with Aboriginal-run businesses, advocacy groups, and cultural leaders to co-design services and initiatives. The Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA) can be a valuable partner in these efforts.
Engage Community Voices: Involve Aboriginal community members in consultation, to ensure their input shapes plans and services. Understand the diversity of engagement required to be inclusive of language, family and traditional owner groups in your area. Spend time building local relationships to strengthen outcomes. Encourage early collaboration versus final approval so their voices are represented in the outcomes
