OUR TRAINING
Cultivating Cultural Capacity within the Built Environment Industry
At Zion Engagement and Planning, we have developed a three-module industry specific training package to build capacity on how to work with First Nations Country, community and culture. Going beyond cultural awareness training, this experience has been designed within a cultural framework, based on lived and professional experience and targeted for the built environment industry.
This training has been endorsed by the Planning Institute of Australia and can contribute to continued professional development.
Zion Training Video
“This training went above and beyond to really explain the perspectives of First Nations communities, their barriers to getting involved in government planning work and ways that we can facilitate better outcomes for Country. It was FANTASTIC!”
“Best Aboriginal cultural awareness training I have done in 21 years within the NSW public service.”
MODULES
01: Working with Country
The training starts with Country as it is at the core of First Nations cultural framework and critical to understanding First Nations perspectives. All modules are divided into past, present and future sections.
In this module we work with Bundjalung of Byron Bay, Arakwal custodians Delta Kay and Norman Graham as they share their stories of protecting Country through the Native Title process. Stories explore First Nations systems of knowledge and connections to Country, the colonial impact of Country, governance and decision making and challenges to the aspirations of caring for Country.
02: Working with Community
In this module we meet Leweena Williams a Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung woman (Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council) and Rob Appo a Minjungbal man (Tweed Shire Council) as they share their learnings from the development of the Tweed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (ACHMP).
This module discusses communal decision making and working in partnership with government. It reflects on the challenges of walking two worlds, the importance of resourcing First Nations communities and the need for a commitment to education and awareness. This module celebrates the outcomes of co-design, genuine partnership and First Nations authority in working with government.
03: Working with Culture
Culture is living and alive within Country and First Nations people, it is complex, diverse and intricate. Module three empowers the voice of First Nations cultural practitioners who collectively reside on Bundjalung Country.
This module highlights the benefits of practising culture and explores how the built environment industry can influence Country centred places and spaces. First Nations people, as our original planners, shift participants’ perspectives and this module offers insights into the need for culturally responsive housing.
“It was such a positive experience. The facilitators and people filmed in the learning materials shared some amazing personal and professional stories that showed me the limitations of our planning system. I went into it unsure of how I could adopt something like this into my daily work, but came out with some practical goals that have motivated me.”
“I absolutely enjoyed the training, the content was spot on and beautifully handled.”
FEES & STRUCTURE
Our course has been designed to be experienced in an online format. Groups of up to 20 participants come together to cultivate their cultural capacity by learning from our trainers and each other. We aim to provide a safe space to ask questions and unpack challenging concepts.
Our training can be tailored to suit your needs. We understand that different organisations have differing training needs hence our approach of a tiered fee structure. Please contact us directly for more information on our training packages and fees
