Indigenous involvement in decision-making
6. Indigenous involvement in decision-making
6.1 UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee (UNEIEC)
In 2018, the UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee (UNEIEC) was established. The Committee reports to the Vice- Chancellor and advises on matters relating to Indigenous education, employment and research and satisfies the Indigenous Student Assistant Grant Guidelines 2017 requirements for an Indigenous Governance Mechanism. The composition and terms of reference for this Committee are available to the public on its dedicated UNE webpage: https://www.une.edu.au/staff-current/une-areas/executive/vice-chancellor/uneiec.
6.1.1 Additional Involvement of Indigenous staff in decision making including curriculum evaluation and review
In addition to the establishment of UNEIEC, encouraging and increasing Indigenous representation within governing and decision-making bodies has remained a key focus of the university in 2018, as per the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. Participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on decision-making bodies at UNE in 2018 includes:
Director of Oorala
Mr. Gregory Davidson, a Wiradjuri man, is the current Director of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre. In this diverse role, Mr. Davidson provides key Aboriginal leadership at UNE through involvement in committees and high level liaison with Schools and Directorates on matters and issues that relate to academic support and outcomes in recruitment, access, participation, retention and completion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in higher education. He is an ex officio member of Academic Board, a member of the Deans Committee and the Human Research Ethic Committee of the University. In addition, he provides for, and has oversight of, the strategic direction of the Centre and its primary functions in Indigenous community and student engagement, academic programmes support and cultural competency.
Elder-in-Residence
Mr. Colin Ahoy, a local Anaiwan Elder was the appointed Elder-in-Residence of the University for 2018. The role of Elder-in-Residence is an important role that has ceremonial, liaison and pastoral functions across the University. The role includes consultation and participation in protocols for official events, programmes and projects, including Welcome to Country; and incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in academic business and curriculum.
Academic Board
Mr. Darin Gorry, an Indigenous Lecturer in the Oorala Aboriginal Centre is an appointed member of the Teaching and Learning Committee of Academic Board;
Dr Lorina Barker, an Indigenous Lecturer in the Faculty of HASSE, is an appointed member of the Curriculum Committee of Academic Board; and
Mr. Michael Brogan, an Indigenous academic in the Faculty of HASSE, is an appointed member of the Research Committee of Academic Board.
School Committees
Ms. Marcelle Burns an Indigenous academic in the School of Law is a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee of this School; [Ms. Burns is also a member of the UNE Aboriginal Employment Strategy Governance Committee and in 2018, she was also a member of the UNE Reconciliation Action Plan Committee].
Mr. Steve Widders, an Anaiwan Elder, is Patron of the School of Education and is invited to significant occasions held in the School.
In the School of Medicine and Health, the CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Nurses and Midwives
(CATSINaM) is a member of the Bachelor of Nursing stakeholder group.
The School of Law Advisory Board includes the Director, Oorala Aboriginal Centre, as an ex-officio member.
The Academic Coordinator of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre is a member of the School of Education Teaching and Learning Committee.
6.2 Statement by the Indigenous Governance Mechanism
Throughout 2018, UNE pursued a programme of activity to ensure compliance with Section 10 of the Indigenous Student Assistance Grants Guidelines 2017 and thereby maintain eligibility for ISSP funds in 2019 and beyond. Section 10 (1) (c) of these Guidelines outlines the need for the University to have: (a) an Indigenous Governance Mechanism, (b) an Indigenous Workforce Strategy and (c) an Indigenous Education Strategy. The Director of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre developed and communicated the contents of a paper to members of the UNE Executive for consideration in which the options available to ensure compliance with these Section 10 eligibility requirements were outlined. The Director did so in his capacity as the delegated Officer within UNE that carries administrative responsibilities for implementing, reporting and ensuring compliance with the ISSP funding agreement. Some of the responsibilities include budgeting, which is integrated into the UNE budgeting and business planning cycle; the Oorala Operational Plan reflects the budget that is approved by UNE Finance and the Senior Executive. The Director coordinates the development of the annual ISSP Report and UNE Finance Directorate provides acquittal for all funds received as ISSP grant monies.
By December 2018, a review of the UNE Indigenous Workforce Strategy had been completed, and the Draft ‘UNE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2019 – 2023’ was before the Vice Chancellor for final approval. Likewise, and as noted in Section 6.1.above, the UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee (UNEIEC) was established and approved by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2018. Finally, the UNE Indigenous Education Strategy 2019-2021 has been drafted for implementation in 2019.
Consistent with subsection 17(2) (b) of the Indigenous Student Assistance Grants Guidelines 2017, and as per the governance protocols in place for 2018, the Director of Oorala endorses this 2018 ISSP report and associated financial acquittal. Furthermore, the Director acknowledges the formation of UNEIEC and looks forward to working with this committee throughout 2019.
