Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
We wish to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. We also acknowledge and respect the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.
Council is committed to strengthening relationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our vision is to ensure we all live in harmonious communities where people feel safe, welcome, share common goals, trust and respect each other.
Below you can explore the events, committees, policies and strategic documents that Council participates and works within.
Council employs a Community Development Officer – Aboriginal to work with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
To contact our Community Development Team call 02 6670 2400 or email tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au
Taking action on reconciliation
As an organisation we are committed to protecting our cultural heritage and honoring the significant contribution of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan is a genuine commitment to encourage and support all staff to make a difference by taking action towards a reconciled country.
Our latest Reconciliation Action will be launched later in 2023. This will supersede the Reconciliation Action Plan(PDF, 2MB) that we developed in 2018.
See how we are working towards reconciliation.
View Aboriginal cultural heritage projects across the Tweed
Events
To view a wider range of events across the Tweed, visit What's On Tweed.
NAIDOC Week
Pelican design wrapping around the Tweed Heads Library, in conjunction with the redevelopment of the plaza area at the Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre
NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of First Nations people in various fields.
Activities take place across the nation during NAIDOC Week in the first full week of July. All Australians are encouraged to participate.
2023 Tweed NAIDOC week program(PDF, 2MB)
2023 NAIDOC Week Youth Fishing Workshop(PDF, 646KB)
For more information visit the National NAIDOC Week website.
Banaam Cultural Intelligence training
Banaam are a local organisation of leaders and innovators in the area of Cultural Intelligence and use applications, based on Indigenous frameworks and cultural principles, to equip and empower individuals, teams and organisations.
We have integrated the delivery of Banaam Cultural Intelligence workshops into our induction program for staff.
Committees
Our Community Development Officer - Aboriginal attends the following groups to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community development across the Tweed.
Tweed Goori Interagency
The Tweed Goori Interagency is a networking forum for community service organisations working with our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
These meetings help organisations share advice and support as well offer information on programs and initiatives by their respective organisations.
The networking forum meet every 8 weeks.
Wollumbin Consultative Group
Wollumbin, which includes the Mount Warning mountain complex, has been a sacred place of great significance to the people of Bundjalung and other Aboriginal groups since time immemorial. Wollumbin, along with other significant sites in its surrounds, provides a traditional place of cultural law, initiation and spiritual education.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (Northern Rivers Region) work with representatives of the local Aboriginal community in the management of Wollumbin National Park and Wollumbin State Conservation Area.
The Wollumbin Consultative Group provides a formal opportunity for representatives of the Aboriginal community to have real and meaningful involvement in management of these reserves.
The Wollumbin Consultative Group makes recommendations to the Regional Manager on management plans for Wollumbin National Park and Wollumbin State Conservation Area. This includes any amendments to the current adopted Plan of Management for Mount Warning National Park.
The group also advises on education and interpretative policies, operational issues including work programs and co-management options.
The Wollumbin Consultative Group is governed by guidelines similar to a Memorandum of Understanding. Members include representatives from:
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils
- Bundjalung Elders Council and adjacent Native Title Claimants
- Family groups with a cultural interest in Wollumbin, Northern Rivers Region National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Cultural Heritage Division of Office of Environment and Heritage
Policies and strategies
Aboriginal Statement of Commitment
The Aboriginal Statement was developed in consultation with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee and was adopted 13 November 2007.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Council has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)(PDF, 2MB) , the first ever developed between Tweed Shire Council and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to Council.
The plan marks the first stage of commitments from Council to the Aboriginal community to:
- act in good faith
- recognise the significance of the Aboriginal communities’ long standing and special place in the Tweed
- continue the process to redress the wrongs of the past and those still being inflicted on Aboriginal people
- work with the community to treasure this ancient, long standing culture and Country.
Strategic documents
Council's Community Development Officer – Aboriginal is working closely with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to develop the following documents for consideration of Council:
- Issues Paper
- Aboriginal Employment Strategy