How is the TIO tracking to becoming a recognised Reflect RAP organisation?

The TIO began it’s official reconciliation Journey in 2020, and since has been progressing actions and items on the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), with the goal of becoming officially accredited as a Reflect RAP organisation this year.

Reflect RAP is the first of four stages – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – which allow organisations to continuously develop stronger commitments.

In the Reflect stage, the TIO must scope and develop relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, decide on a vision for reconciliation, and explore their sphere of influence.

So far, the TIO have implemented the following action items from our plan:

• Encouraged our staff to attend NAIDOC events
• Organised an internal NAIDOC event: Film Festival
• Invited Elders to our major events for a Welcome to Country
  • Reflect RAP Launch
  • People Awards 2021
• Encouraged people to have an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of meetings and events
  • We have now also included the Acknowledgement of Country on the TIO Agenda template
• Introduced an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Inclusion and Cultural Safety compliance module for new starters
• Included a statement in our job advertisements to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply
• Captured data and measure our employees’ current level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and achievements through the recent PAM survey.
• Reviewed best practice by dispute resolution organisations working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said, “In light of Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week coming up, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank our RAP Working Group members for their commitment to reconciliation and for bringing the organisation on this important journey.”

“We will continue to prioritise this work and ensure we are meeting and exceeding the requirements of a Reflect RAP organisation. Every little thing an organisation can do to be more inclusive of and open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, people and traditions counts. Reconciliation starts with all of us.”