The WA team were joined by Elders and partners on the lands of the Whadjuk people from the Noongar nation.
Image: Staff and guests at the WA Elevate RAP launch stand together as a group and smile at the camera.
The launch of Life Without Barriers' Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan in Western Australia was held on the lands of the Whadjuk people from the Noongar nation, at the Life Without Barriers' Leederville office.
Staff welcomed partners and Elders Larissa Perry, Aunty Milly, and Aunty Charmaine for an afternoon of reflection and challenge.
Sharon Wood-Kenney, a proud Noongar Yamatji woman with kin across Boorloo, Perth and Western Australia, welcomed guests to Country and stayed for the discussion.
The attendees watched the highlights of the national launch. Following this, Jody Nunn, CEO of Reconciliation Western Australia, addressed the audience, reminding them that the key to reconciliation is trust and that there can be no trust without relationships.
Following Jody's address, Larissa Jones spoke about the partnership between Telethon Kids Institute and Life Without Barriers, which focused on researching and improving outcomes for Aboriginal Children in Out of Home Care.
A highlight of the day was a panel discussion about the Elevate RAP. The team were privileged to have Noongar Elders Barbara Henry, Aunty Milly Perry, Aunty Charmaine Pell and Professor Maria Harries on the panel.
Image: Noongar Elders Barbara Henry, Aunty Milly Perry, Aunty Charmaine Pell and Professor Maria Harries on the panel.
“This afternoon was an opportunity for our staff to be in the room with Elders and hear the wisdom of their lived experience."
"Jody Nunn from Reconciliation WA reminded us that an Elevate RAP has an expectation of leadership in the reconciliation conversation. Staff who attended will take those messages away and reflect on how we honour and implement them in our work," said Helen Nys, Western Australia Child, Youth and Family Director.
Filled with plenty of food for thought, the guests finished the afternoon with actual food supplied by Aboriginal catering firm Gatherer Foods.
To capture the special day, visual scribe and artist Shenali Perera produced a lasting record of the discussion that will be displayed in the Leederville office.
Image: Artwork based on the conversations that took place at the WA Elevate RAP launch, created by Shenali Perera, an artist and producer.
