Our RAP
In September 2021, we developed a Reflect RAP as a key action to deepen and progress our collective and individual journey toward reconciliation, and play our part in working toward reconciliation in Australia.
Now, in early 2026, we’re incredibly excited to release the next evolution of our Reconciliation Action Plan, our Innovate RAP, which maps out the next phase of TACSI’s approach towards reconciliation.
Reconciliation is everyone’s business
Aunty Vickey Charles, who was TACSI’s Cultural Lead and will be our Aunty in Residence forever, always reminded us that “reconciliation doesn’t just happen between the hours of nine and five”.
We want to live in an Australia where Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples are recognised as the First Custodians of these lands, and where their knowledges, cultures and stories are woven through everything we do. We believe that reconciliation grows from recognition, justice and authentic connection.
We envision a reconciled future where all Australians are connected. A future where systems, structures and mental models are decolonised to support deep listening, respectful dialogue and equitable relationships. A nation of Nations where reconciliation is valued as an opportunity for innovation to create a place where all people living in Australia play a role as Custodians of Country.
Our commitment to progress
Our Innovate RAP is a reflection of our commitment to build reconciliation into the organisation, as well as our further ambition to embed this into the people of TACSI to bring reconciliation as a way of being into the wider community.
Our new RAP carries a desire to embed long lasting positive effects on people and communities that may come into contact with any of the people of TACSI, in order to spread the message of reconciliation. We seek to move from strategy to implementation by building reconciliation activities into the daily actionable practices of all TACSI staff.
We recognise that reconciliation is an ongoing process and our RAP signifies our commitment to work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities to create policy and service offerings that leverage Aboriginal knowledge and build on the strengths of communities, Culture and Country.
Our Innovate RAP carries a desire to embed long lasting positive effects on people and communities that may come into contact with any of the people of TACSI, in order to spread the message of reconciliation.
The four pillars of our new RAP
1. Relationships
We recognise the role of our actions in creating culturally safe relationships. We are committed to building trusting relationships between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and all people living in Australia.. We commit to:
- Deepening our relationships in place, by understanding how we can best walk alongside Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Developing relationships that are nourishing and connecting – enabling two way learning, innovating together and walking together towards reconciliation
- Showing up consistently and supporting the efforts of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO’s) and communities
- Speaking up about and for those we are in relationship with about the things that matter to them
- Challenging the status quo of systems that hinder the ability for self-determination to flourish
- Role modelling authentic power sharing.
2. Respect
TACSI believes that respect for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights is vital to achieving our vision for reconciliation. We want to demonstrate respect in a way that doesn’t exploit or appropriate, but in a way that creates conditions for cultures and communities to thrive. We commit to:
- Being authentic
- Being humble
- Being reflective
- Deeply listening
- Seeking feedback
- Remaining curious
- Embedding cultural learning across the organisation
- Reflecting on our own histories as well as the histories of the nation
- Celebrating Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures
- Truth-telling
3. Opportunities
Partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities are essential to create culturally relevant, sustainable, and impactful solutions that empower communities and address systemic disparities. Through these partnerships, we work to create a range of social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities including:
- Evolving and influencing individuals and organisations through our learning hub
- Building a network of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander service providers;
- Evolving TACSI’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander recruitment strategies
- Seeking and supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership within our work as much as possible
- Progressing our vision to tackle social challenges in systemic and experimental ways to return power to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
4. Governance
We recognise that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have governed community and Country for countless generations. We have much to learn from their many ways of governing including the roles of Cultural Authority, Kinship, Lore and Law. TACSI makes a commitment to this learning and to exploring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous governance approaches that don’t reinforce system practices that are rooted in dominant or colonial culture.
